RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of entry passages leading to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," he added. "They were part of a great many British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
