RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of entry passages leading to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of British forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This mission, to remove militants who threaten our security, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
