RAF Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several access tunnels down to the site... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," he said. "They were among a great many UK service members stationed over the festive period. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our safety, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
