Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels leading to the facility... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were among a great many British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military carried out what it described as a "major assault" against IS targets in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
