Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of approach shafts down to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, shows how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
