British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel stationed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
