British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous UK service members stationed over the festive period. This action, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our security, shows how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
