RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their bravery," he said. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over the festive period. This operation, to remove militants who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
