RAF Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in the country, following an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
