RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of entry passages leading to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out militants who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
