Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of approach shafts down to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces participating in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military executed what it described as a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
