British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of entry passages providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their valour," Healey added. "They were part of numerous British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
