Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of approach shafts providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were a great many British troops deployed over the festive period. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
