RAF says UK, France strike ISIS facility in Syria’s Palmyra
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The British Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday that its Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft carried out successful airstrikes against ISIS targets in central Syria as part of a joint operation with France.
In a statement, RAF said that its aircraft continued regular patrols over Syrian airspace to prevent any attempted resurgence of ISIS following the group’s territorial defeat in Baghuz town in March 2019.
The RAF added that recent intelligence identified an underground facility in the mountains several miles north of the ancient city of Palmyra that was being used by ISIS, likely for storing weapons and explosives.
The area contained no civilian habitation, according to the statement.
On Jan. 3, RAF Typhoon FGR4 fighter jets, supported by a Voyager refueling tanker, joined French aircraft in striking the facility, the statement read. “Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of access tunnels down to the facility; whilst detailed assessment is now underway, initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully.”
UK Defense Secretary John Healey said the operation demonstrates Britain’s leadership and commitment to working alongside allies to prevent Daesh from re-emerging in the Middle East.
Healey praised the professionalism and courage of British forces deployed during the holiday period, stressing that the operation reflects the UK military’s readiness to act year-round to counter threats.
Despite losing its last territorial stronghold in Syria in 2019, ISIS continues to operate through small cells, particularly in Syria’s vast desert regions.
The U.S.-led Global Coalition forces, including the UK and France, maintain surveillance and conduct periodic strikes to disrupt the group’s networks, weapons caches, and command infrastructure, aiming to prevent a resurgence of the extremist organization.