Royal Air Force 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's MoD.
The facility, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as Daesh - established militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," he commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel stationed over the holidays. This operation, to remove militants who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" against IS targets in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
