British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of approach shafts leading to the depot... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their valour," he commented. "Including them were thousands of UK service members deployed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in the country, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
