Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several access tunnels providing entry to the depot... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," Healey added. "They were part of a great many British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our safety, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
