RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of entry passages down to the facility... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their courage," he commented. "Including them were thousands of UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" against IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
