Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and commitment 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 Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their valour," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of British troops deployed over the festive period. This action, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
