RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of approach shafts leading to the depot... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," Healey commented. "They were among a great many UK service members stationed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military executed what it described as a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN says IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
