RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of access tunnels down to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
