Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of approach shafts down to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of numerous UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
