RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of entry passages leading to the facility... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
