RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the IS group, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of access tunnels down to the depot... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their courage," he commented. "Including them were numerous British personnel on duty over the festive period. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the US military executed what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
