Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages down to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their bravery," he said. "They were part of a great many UK service members stationed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
