RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the facility... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were among a great many British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
