RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of approach shafts down to the facility... early reports are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were thousands of British personnel deployed over the holidays. This action, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
