RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several access tunnels leading to the depot... early reports suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their valour," he said. "They were part of a great many British troops stationed over the festive period. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
