RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - enforced militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their courage," he added. "They were among thousands of British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out militants who endanger our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
During December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, following an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
