British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of access tunnels down to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This operation, to remove militants who threaten our security, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, following an ambush killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
