Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages providing entry to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
