Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the IS group, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their valour," Healey said. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate militants who threaten our way of life, highlights how British military are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
