British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in hills just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of entry passages down to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as Daesh - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their courage," he commented. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over the holidays. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
