RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of entry passages down to the depot... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of British troops deployed over the holidays. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces executed what it described as a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
