RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, located using surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," he commented. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out militants who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
