UK and French Jets Strike ISIS Weapons Facility Near Palmyra
LONDON — British and French military aircraft conducted a coordinated airstrike on Saturday evening targeting a suspected Islamic State (ISIS) weapons storage facility in Syria’s Homs province, north of the ancient city of Palmyra. The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 jets, supported by a Voyager refueling tanker, worked alongside French warplanes to strike access tunnels leading to the underground site believed to be used by ISIS militants for storing weapons and explosives.
The operation employed Paveway IV precision-guided bombs, aiming to neutralize the facility without causing unnecessary collateral damage. Initial assessments indicate the strike successfully hit the target, although a full damage evaluation is ongoing. This mission underscores the continued commitment of coalition partners to disrupt ISIS’s operational capabilities in the region.
Britain and France are key members of the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, which was established to combat the extremist group following its territorial gains in Iraq and Syria. The coalition has conducted numerous counterterrorism operations aimed at dismantling ISIS’s infrastructure and preventing its resurgence.
U.K. Secretary of State for Defence Sir John Healey emphasized that the strike demonstrates Britain’s determination to prevent any revival of Islamic State activities. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies against extremist violence in the Middle East,” Healey said in a statement.
The airstrike comes amid sustained U.S. military activity in Syria, where American forces have continued counterterrorism missions targeting ISIS remnants. In December, the U.S. launched large-scale strikes across central Syria in response to an ambush near Palmyra that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. soldiers and an American civilian interpreter. The U.S. Central Command has noted that despite ongoing pressure, ISIS remains an active and persistent threat in the region.
Coalition forces have focused on targeting ISIS infrastructure and weapons caches to degrade the group’s ability to conduct attacks. The recent British-French operation aligns with these efforts, aiming to deny ISIS access to critical resources.
Military analysts highlight that the use of RAF Typhoon jets, known for their versatility and precision, along with French aircraft, reflects the high level of coordination within the coalition. The operation also benefited from aerial refueling capabilities provided by the Voyager tanker, extending the jets’ range and loiter time over the target area.
As the coalition continues its campaign, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence remains vigilant in monitoring ISIS movements and capabilities. The strike near Palmyra is a clear message that coalition partners will maintain pressure on extremist groups to safeguard regional stability.
For more information on coalition efforts and updates on counterterrorism operations, visit the UK Ministry of Defence and the U.S. Department of Defense websites.
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