RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of access tunnels providing entry to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," he added. "They were part of numerous UK service members deployed over the holidays. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, following an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
