RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several approach shafts down to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous British personnel deployed over the holidays. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
During December, the US military conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
