RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, located using intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several approach shafts providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were numerous UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our security, highlights how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military conducted what it termed a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
