British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several entry passages providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among thousands of UK service members deployed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
