Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of British forces participating in this mission for their skill and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our safety, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
