British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just above Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several entry passages providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of thousands of UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military executed what it described as a "major assault" on Daesh sites in the country, after an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
