RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of access tunnels providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many British troops stationed over the holidays. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our security, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
In December, the US military conducted what it termed a "major assault" on Daesh sites in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
