RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of entry passages leading to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows British leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
