RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, located using surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of access tunnels down to the site... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over the festive period. This mission, to take out militants who threaten our security, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
