British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several entry passages leading to the site... early reports suggest 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 fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of British forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
