RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several approach shafts down to the facility... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove militants who pose a risk to our safety, shows how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
