British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," Healey added. "They were among thousands of British troops stationed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
In December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
