RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were thousands of British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
