RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, located using intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several access tunnels leading to the depot... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous British personnel deployed over the festive period. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
