RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," he added. "They were part of thousands of British troops stationed over the holidays. This action, to take out militants who threaten our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
