RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of access tunnels leading to the depot... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were thousands of UK service members stationed over the holidays. This mission, to remove militants who endanger our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in the country, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
