In a coordinated military operation, the United Kingdom and France carried out a precision airstrike on an underground Islamic State (IS) arms and explosives facility in Syria. According to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), the operation targeted a bunker located in the mountainous region north of Palmyra, an ancient Syrian city known for its historical significance.
Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 fighter jets, alongside French aircraft, executed the mission late on Saturday. The strike utilized Paveway IV precision-guided bombs to destroy access tunnels leading into the underground facility. Initial reports indicate that the operation successfully neutralized the target, with no civilian casualties reported. All aircraft returned safely to base.
Intelligence and Planning Behind the Strike
The MoD highlighted that the strike followed “careful” intelligence analysis, confirming that the site was actively storing weapons and explosives used by IS militants. This marks one of several recent international efforts to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Syria and prevent any resurgence of the extremist group following its territorial defeat in 2019.
Supporting the Typhoon jets was a Voyager aerial refueling tanker, enabling extended operational reach over the Syrian desert. The mission underscores the UK’s ongoing commitment to maintaining regional security in the Middle East and collaborating closely with NATO allies.
Statements from UK Officials
UK Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized the strategic importance of the operation:
“This action demonstrates the UK’s leadership and our determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies to eliminate the threat posed by Daesh and prevent the spread of their violent ideology across the region.”
Healey also praised the professionalism and courage of all military personnel involved, noting that thousands of British forces were deployed over the Christmas and New Year period.
RAF Operations Against IS
The Royal Air Force has been actively involved in anti-IS operations in Syria since 2014, using both manned aircraft and aerial drones to target terrorist strongholds. These patrols aim to prevent any attempt by IS to regroup following their defeat at the Battle of Baghuz in 2019.
The United Nations estimates that 5,000 to 7,000 IS fighters remain active across Syria and Iraq. In November, under the leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria officially joined the US-led coalition against IS, bringing the total number of member countries to 90. The coalition’s primary goal is to eliminate remaining IS elements and curb the flow of foreign fighters into the region.
Recent International Efforts
The joint UK-France operation comes after a series of international strikes against IS in Syria. Last month, the US military conducted a large-scale strike following an ambush in Palmyra that killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter. These actions reflect ongoing coalition efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, neutralize weapons caches, and secure the stability of the region.
By maintaining continuous surveillance and precision strikes, the UK and its allies aim to prevent any resurgence of IS, protecting both regional and global security.
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