British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their bravery," he commented. "Including them were a great many British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an assault killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
