LONDON/PARIS — British and French fighter jets launched a joint airstrike on a suspected Islamic State (ISIS) underground weapons facility in Syria on Saturday, marking a significant escalation in coalition efforts to suppress a resurgence of the terror group.
The operation, which targeted a tunnel complex in the mountains north of Palmyra, comes just weeks after a deadly ambush in the same region killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter.
The Strike
On Saturday, January 3, Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon FGR4s and French Air Force combat aircraft struck a subterranean site used by ISIS terrorists to store weapons and explosives. The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that the facility was successfully engaged using Paveway IV precision-guided bombs.
Defense officials stated that the location was carefully monitored prior to the strike to ensure no civilians were in the area. The Ministry clarified that the area around the facility is devoid of any civilian habitation, minimizing collateral risks.
Context: A Deadly Month for the Coalition
The airstrikes are part of a coordinated response by the Global Coalition against Daesh (ISIS) following a spike in violence against international forces.
On December 13, 2025, an ISIS-linked ambush in Palmyra claimed the lives of Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25. Both men were members of the Iowa National Guard, deployed to the region to support counter-terrorism operations. A U.S. civilian interpreter was also killed in the attack.
The deaths prompted an immediate and fierce response from the United States. On December 19, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) launched Operation Hawkeye Strike—named in honor of the soldiers from the “Hawkeye State”—targeting over 70 ISIS locations with more than 100 precision munitions.
Saturday’s joint UK-French mission signals that coalition partners remain committed to maintaining pressure on ISIS remnants alongside U.S. forces.
“Shoulder to Shoulder”
UK Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized the unity of the alliance in the wake of the recent attacks.
“This action shows our UK leadership and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies to stamp out any resurgence of ISIS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East,” Healey said.
France has also maintained a steadfast military presence in the region under Opération Chammal, its contribution to the international coalition.
Why It Matters
While ISIS lost its final territorial stronghold in Syria in 2019, the group has transformed into a low-level insurgency. Operating from remote deserts and mountain hideouts, sleeper cells continue to mount hit-and-run attacks on security forces and civilians.
Recent intelligence has indicated that these cells are attempting to regroup and rebuild their weapons stockpiles in the Syrian desert. The destruction of the Palmyra depot is intended to degrade their ability to launch future attacks.
Sources
- BBC News: UK and France strike ISIS weapons site
- GB News: RAF jets launch airstrikes in Syria
- The Sun: British forces bomb ISIS underground depot
- U.S. Army: Identification of Casualties
- Office of the Governor of Iowa: Press Release on Soldier Deaths
- The Hindu Business Line: Joint Airstrike Report
- UNN: Britain and France launch airstrikes
