LONDON – The British Ministry of Defence announced a joint operation on Saturday night to strike with France against an underground facility in Syria. The site was believed to have been used by the Islamic State group (IS) to store weapons and explosives.
“Royal Air Force aircraft have completed successful strikes against Daesh in a joint operation with France,” the ministry said in a statement, using the Arabic acronym for IS. The area targeted is north of the ancient city of Palmyra and is free from civilian habitation.
The ministry emphasized that the strike with France posed no risk to local civilians. The operation focused solely on the facility previously occupied by IS. Palmyra, known for its UNESCO-listed ancient ruins, was once controlled by jihadist fighters.
Although IS was territorially defeated in Syria in 2019, the group still maintains a presence in the country’s vast desert regions. Last month, a lone IS gunman in Palmyra attacked American personnel, killing two US soldiers and a US civilian. In response, US forces struck dozens of IS targets in Syria.
Officials said the British-led operation, carried out in coordination with France, demonstrates ongoing vigilance against IS threats. The MoD confirmed that intelligence indicated the site had been used primarily to store weapons, making it a strategic target.
The successful strike with France highlights close cooperation between European allies in combating terrorism. Both countries continue to monitor the situation in Syria to prevent future IS attacks.
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The British Ministry of Defence reaffirmed its commitment to international security, stating that joint operations are essential to dismantle remaining IS infrastructure. This action underscores the ongoing threat posed by the group despite losing territory years ago.
