RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several entry passages leading to the facility... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," he said. "They were part of thousands of UK service members deployed over the festive period. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN says IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
