Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of approach shafts down to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of British forces involved in this strike for their skill and their bravery," he commented. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the US military carried out what it called a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
