Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several approach shafts down to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military carried out what it described as a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
