RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - established militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces involved in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey said. "They were among a great many British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
