Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of entry passages down to the depot... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were numerous British personnel stationed over the festive period. This mission, to remove militants who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
