Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several entry passages leading to the depot... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among a great many UK service members stationed over the festive period. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
