RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages providing entry to the facility... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were among thousands of UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to remove militants who pose a risk to our security, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
