Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels leading to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
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.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
