Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several entry passages down to the site... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove militants who endanger our safety, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the US military executed what it termed a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
