RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of access tunnels leading to the site... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," Healey commented. "They were part of numerous British personnel stationed over the festive period. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, shows how British military are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
