RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several approach shafts leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were part of numerous British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
