Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in hills just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several approach shafts leading to the site... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN says Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
