RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of entry passages down to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows British leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey said. "They were among a great many British personnel stationed over the holidays. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
