British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several approach shafts providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments are that the objective was successfully hit," 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 British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their courage," Healey said. "They were among numerous British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
