British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of access tunnels leading to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," Healey said. "Including them were numerous British personnel on duty over the festive period. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, shows how British military are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, following an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.
