British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of British forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their courage," he added. "They were part of numerous British personnel stationed over the holidays. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our safety, shows how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
