British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several entry passages down to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of a great many British personnel deployed over the holidays. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
