British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces involved in this strike for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among thousands of British troops stationed over the holidays. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military conducted what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
