British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of entry passages leading to the site... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous British personnel deployed over the holidays. This action, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
