Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several entry passages providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their bravery," Healey added. "Including them were a great many British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
