RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," Healey commented. "They were part of numerous British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to remove militants who threaten our safety, shows how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
