RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of access tunnels leading to the site... early reports are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their valour," he commented. "They were part of numerous British personnel deployed over the holidays. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our safety, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
During December, the US military executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in Syria, following an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
