RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of access tunnels down to the depot... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among thousands of British personnel on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our security, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it called a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
