RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, 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.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels down to the facility... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as Daesh - established militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their bravery," he added. "Including them were thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove militants who endanger our security, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
