British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," Healey added. "Including them were numerous British personnel on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military conducted what it described as a "major assault" against IS targets in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
