RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of approach shafts down to the depot... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces involved in this mission for their skill and their bravery," Healey said. "They were part of a great many UK service members deployed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
