British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," Healey added. "They were among numerous UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our safety, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an attack killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
