Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many British personnel stationed over the holidays. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
