Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the IS group, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several access tunnels leading to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
