Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages providing entry to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among thousands of British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
