RAF Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several access tunnels down to the facility... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their courage," he added. "Including them were a great many British personnel stationed over the holidays. This mission, to remove militants who threaten our safety, shows how British military are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
