RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several access tunnels providing entry to the depot... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
