Damascus (Parliament Politics Magazine) – British and French aircraft carried out a joint RAF strike on an IS underground weapons facility near Palmyra, using guided bombs to hit the tunnels.
As reported by Tom McArthur and Laurence Peter of the BBC, the UK Ministry of Defence said British and French planes carried out a coordinated airstrike on an underground site once held by Islamic State.
How did UK and French forces target the IS stronghold near Palmyra?
Guided bombs hit access tunnels to the site in Syria’s mountains near the ancient city of Palmyra on Saturday, 3 January. Intelligence reports indicate IS used the site to stock arms and explosives to aid a resurgence in the region.
The Royal Air Force deployed Typhoon FGR4 jets with Voyager tankers, carrying out the mission alongside French Air Force aircraft.
“Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of access tunnels down to the facility… initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully,”
the MoD said.
The ministry said there were no reports of civilian harm in the Saturday strike, and all aircraft returned safely. It added that the RAF aircraft have been patrolling Syria to prevent IS from regrouping after its 2019 defeat at Baghuz.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey said,
“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 stated,
“I want to thank all the members of our armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their courage.”
Healey added,
“They were among thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad.”
As part of the international coalition, RAF drones and manned aircraft have targeted IS fighters and sites since 2014.
According to the United Nations, the Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
Under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria became the 90th country to join the US-led coalition against IS in November.
Officials say the coalition aims to eliminate remaining IS fighters and prevent foreign militants from reaching the Middle East. Last month, the US carried out a “massive strike” in Syria after an ambush in Palmyra killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter.
How does the Eurofighter Typhoon serve the RAF and allies?
The Typhoon fighter can reach speeds of Mach 1.8 (2,222 kph) and carries out a range of missions, including high-intensity combat. It was first deployed over Libya in 2011 and has been used in Iraq and Syria since 2015 to strike IS positions.
Alongside Germany, Italy, and Spain, the UK maintains stocks of Typhoon jets. While the F-35’s advanced stealth has taken priority in recent years, the Eurofighter continues to play a key role in UK defence as a multirole aircraft.
UK Typhoons regularly intercept and shadow Russian aircraft near national airspace. They are expected to be replaced by the Tempest sixth-generation fighter, which is still in development, from 2035.
Why did the UK and France attack the IS arms store?
The UK and France carried out a joint airstrike near Palmyra, Syria, targeting a suspected IS facility. The operation aimed to prevent a potential IS resurgence by destroying a site believed to store weapons.
The strike was carried out in response to recent intelligence and regional threats. It follows reports of increased IS activity, including a December ambush in Palmyra, and comes ahead of operations by regional authorities against suspected IS cells.
According to officials, the strike demonstrates the coalition’s ongoing commitment to fighting IS. It also highlights efforts to work with allies to counter the group and its ideology.
