RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts leading to the site... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey commented. "They were among thousands of British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
In December, the US military executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
