RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several access tunnels down to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of thousands of British troops on duty over the festive period. This action, to remove militants who endanger our security, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
