British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts leading to the depot... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey said. "Including them were numerous British personnel stationed over the festive period. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, shows how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
