RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, located using surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels down to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," he commented. "They were part of numerous British personnel deployed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
