Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several access tunnels providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," he commented. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
