RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of approach shafts down to the site... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," he commented. "They were part of thousands of British troops stationed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" against IS targets in the country, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
