RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of access tunnels down to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to take out militants who endanger our safety, shows how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces executed what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
