Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts down to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of a great many UK service members deployed over the holidays. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
