British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey commented. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This action, to take out militants who threaten our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
