RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels down to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their valour," he added. "Including them were numerous British troops stationed over the holidays. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military carried out what it described as a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, following an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
