The Ministry of Defence have confirmed RAF Tornado jets have carried out their first air strikes against so-called Islamic State in Syria.
Four Tornados from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus took part in the operation soon after MPs voted to approve bombing.
The strikes targeted the Omar oil fields in eastern Syria, which is under IS control, and were “successful”, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said.
He had personally approved the targets ahead of the Commons vote, he said.
MPs overwhelmingly backed UK military action against IS – also known as Daesh – in Syria, by 397 votes to 223, after a 10-hour Commons debate on Wednesday.
Mr Fallon said the MoD would be assessing the damage done by the bombing later, but the aim was to strike “a very real blow on the oil and revenue on which Daesh depends”.
He further said the there was a “very rigorous” process by which targets were chosen, and all British military action would adhere to “very strict rules of engagement”.
