RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several approach shafts down to the depot... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were thousands of British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces executed what it described as a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
