RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of entry passages down to the depot... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their valour," he commented. "Including them were numerous British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
