British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of British forces involved in this operation for their skill and their courage," he commented. "They were among numerous British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our safety, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
