British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages leading to the site... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this operation for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were thousands of British troops stationed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it described as a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
