RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just above Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several entry passages providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - established militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were among a great many British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, shows how British military are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
