RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of access tunnels down to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - established militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," he said. "They were part of numerous UK service members stationed over the holidays. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our security, highlights how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
In December, the US military conducted what it termed a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
