RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several approach shafts down to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
