RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several entry passages down to the depot... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their valour," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military carried out what it described as a "major assault" targeting IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
