Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages down to the facility... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were thousands of British troops stationed over the holidays. This action, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" against IS targets in the country, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
