Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several approach shafts leading to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British troops deployed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
