RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in hills just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages down to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - established militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among numerous British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
