RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the IS group, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts leading to the site... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were among numerous UK service members deployed over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
