RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were numerous British personnel deployed over the festive period. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
