British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were part of thousands of UK service members on duty over the holidays. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
During December, the US military executed what it termed a "major assault" against IS targets in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
