Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of access tunnels down to the site... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," Healey added. "Including them were numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
