RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of access tunnels down to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," Healey added. "They were part of a great many British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
