British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels leading to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows British leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their valour," he added. "Including them were a great many UK service members stationed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, shows how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
