RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of approach shafts down to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces participating in this mission for their skill and their valour," he commented. "They were among numerous British personnel on duty over the holidays. This operation, to take out militants who pose a risk to our security, shows how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "major assault" on Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
