British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of access tunnels 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 strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
