Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels down to the facility... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This operation, to remove militants who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military executed what it described as a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN says Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
