RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several access tunnels leading to the facility... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of numerous British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove militants who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
In December, the US military carried out what it described as a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
