RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of entry passages leading to the depot... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their valour," Healey commented. "Including them were numerous British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" on Daesh sites in the country, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
