Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several access tunnels providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were numerous British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our safety, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces executed what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
