British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the IS group, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of entry passages down to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," he commented. "They were part of a great many British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove militants who threaten our security, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
