RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of access tunnels leading to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members stationed over the festive period. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" against IS targets in the country, after an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
