British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of entry passages down to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," he commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members stationed over the festive period. This action, to remove militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military executed what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, after an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
