Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, located using intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several access tunnels leading to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," Healey commented. "They were among thousands of British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove militants who threaten our safety, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
