RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of entry passages leading to the facility... early reports are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of British forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel deployed over the festive period. This action, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
