British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to remove militants who endanger our way of life, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
