RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of access tunnels providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey said. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
