British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several entry passages down to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of British forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
