RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved 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 - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey added. "They were part of a great many British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out militants who pose a risk to our safety, shows how British military are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, following an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
