Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of access tunnels leading to the depot... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many British troops on duty over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how British military are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces executed what it termed a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
