Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just above Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of approach shafts providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
