RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," he added. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove militants who threaten our security, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
