Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of approach shafts down to the site... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," Healey commented. "Including them were thousands of British troops stationed over the festive period. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our safety, highlights how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in the country, after an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
