RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting 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 storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces involved in this mission for their skill and their courage," he added. "They were part of numerous UK service members stationed over the holidays. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military executed what it termed a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
