British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among thousands of British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
