Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts down to the depot... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
