RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several access tunnels providing entry to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many British personnel deployed over the festive period. This mission, to remove militants who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military carried out what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
