British and French air forces on Saturday evening carried out a coordinated airstrike on a suspected underground arms storage facility previously used by the Islamic State group in Syria, according to Britain’s Ministry of Defence.
The operation targeted a concealed site in mountainous terrain north of the ancient city of Palmyra, where intelligence assessments indicated the presence of weapons and explosives. Western military aircraft have continued patrols in the region as part of broader efforts to prevent a resurgence of the Islamist militant group, which lost territorial control in Syria in 2019.
In a statement, the British defence ministry said its aircraft deployed Paveway IV precision-guided bombs to strike several access tunnels leading to the underground facility. While a full post-strike damage assessment is ongoing, initial indications suggest the target was successfully engaged.
The ministry emphasised that the area was carefully assessed before the operation and confirmed to be devoid of civilian habitation. All participating British aircraft reportedly returned safely following the mission.
British Defence Secretary John Healey described the strike as a demonstration of the United Kingdom’s resolve and alliance commitments in the region. “This action shows our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East,” he said, using an alternative name for Islamic State.
Britain confirmed that Typhoon FGR4 combat jets were used in the operation, supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling tanker, underscoring the scale and coordination of the joint military effort with France.
Melissa Enoch
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