British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The location, located using intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of access tunnels leading to the depot... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of a great many British personnel deployed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "major assault" on Daesh sites in Syria, following an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
