British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages leading to the site... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as Daesh - established militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their courage," he added. "Including them were a great many British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
