Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several entry passages providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members on duty over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the US military carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in Syria, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
