Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," he added. "They were part of numerous British personnel stationed over the holidays. This mission, to take out militants who threaten our security, shows how British military are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military executed what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
