British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of access tunnels providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces participating in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among numerous British troops stationed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
