Royal 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), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in hills just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
