British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of access tunnels down to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," he added. "They were among thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This operation, to take out militants who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
