British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria used by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several entry passages down to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous UK service members deployed over the holidays. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces executed what it termed a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN says Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
