British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of access tunnels down to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous British personnel stationed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the US military carried out what it termed a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
