British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of approach shafts down to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," he commented. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our security, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
