British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several entry passages providing entry to the depot... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of numerous British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove militants who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
During December, the US military carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
