RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several approach shafts leading to the site... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over the festive period. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
