Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
