RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of approach shafts leading to the facility... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces participating in this mission for their skill and their bravery," he said. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an assault killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
