British and French forces have carried out a joint air strike on an underground facility in central Syria that had been used by Islamic State, the UK government has confirmed, underscoring Britain’s continued military role in preventing a resurgence of the extremist group.
The operation took place on Saturday evening near the ancient city of Palmyra, where allied aircraft targeted access tunnels to an underground complex believed to have been occupied by Islamic State fighters.
UK Military Assets Used in Operation
The UK Ministry of Defence said Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 jets deployed precision-guided bombs against the site, supported by a Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker. French aircraft took part alongside British forces in the coordinated strike.
UK Ministry of Defence said initial assessments indicated the strike had been successful, with the target accurately engaged and no immediate evidence of civilian presence in the surrounding area.
Target Linked to Weapons and Explosives Storage
According to UK defence officials, the underground facility was likely being used by Islamic State to store weapons and explosives. The site was located in a remote, mountainous region, reducing the risk to civilians and nearby infrastructure.
The strike focused on access points and tunnel entrances rather than surface structures, a tactic commonly used to disrupt militant logistics while limiting wider damage.
Islamic State once controlled large areas of Syria and Iraq before being militarily defeated in 2019, but intelligence agencies have repeatedly warned that sleeper cells and hidden facilities remain active.
Defence Secretary Reaffirms UK Commitment
UK Defence Secretary John Healey said the operation demonstrated Britain’s determination to work closely with allies to prevent any revival of the group.
He said the UK would continue to “stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies” to stop Islamic State from regrouping and thanked British service personnel involved in the mission for their role in tackling threats to UK and international security.
Ongoing Western Operations in Syria
Western coalition aircraft, including RAF jets operating from bases in the region, have continued patrols and targeted missions in Syria and Iraq in recent years. These operations aim to disrupt Islamic State networks, protect local partners and prevent the group from exploiting instability in the region.
The strike comes amid wider concerns across Europe about extremist groups attempting to re-establish footholds in conflict zones, particularly as international attention is drawn to other global crises.
UK officials said further action would be taken if intelligence indicated an increased threat from Islamic State elements operating in Syria.
