British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of access tunnels providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their valour," he commented. "They were among numerous UK service members deployed over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in the country, following an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
