RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, located using surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several entry passages leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as ISIS - established militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces involved in this strike for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces executed what it described as a "major assault" on Daesh sites in the country, following an attack killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
