British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among a great many UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who pose a risk to our safety, shows how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
