Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several entry passages down to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," he commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members deployed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
