RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military executed what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
