British-French Warplanes Strike IS Weapons Site In Syria
- British French warplanes target IS facility near Palmyra
- British French warplanes part of anti IS coalition action
British French warplanes carried out coordinated airstrikes on a suspected Islamic State weapons storage facility in central Syria, according to the British defence ministry. The strike targeted an underground structure believed to hold weapons and explosives used by IS militants. The operation reflects continued coalition efforts to prevent any resurgence of the extremist group in the region.
According to the ministry, the British French warplanes struck the site on Saturday evening. The location was in the mountains just north of the historic town of Palmyra in Syria’s Homs province. Britain and France are part of the United States led coalition that has been fighting Islamic State militants for more than a decade. Therefore, the operation forms part of ongoing military coordination against the group.
The British defence ministry said the Royal Air Force deployed Typhoon FGR4 fighter jets. These aircraft were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker. French warplanes joined the operation during the joint strike. The British jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit several access tunnels leading to the underground facility. Meanwhile, a detailed assessment of the damage is underway. Initial indications suggest “that the target was engaged successfully.”
Reacting to the operation, 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 IS and its “violent ideologies” in the Middle East. His remarks underline the coalition’s intent to continue military pressure on remaining IS networks.
However, there was no immediate response from Syria’s government regarding the airstrikes. Syria formally joined the anti IS coalition late last year. Despite the group’s military defeat in Syria in 2019, IS sleeper cells continue to carry out deadly attacks in both Syria and Iraq. These areas once formed the core of the group’s self declared caliphate.
According to United Nations experts, IS still commands between 5,000 and 7,000 members across Syria and Iraq. These remaining fighters pose an ongoing security challenge. Last month, the Trump administration launched military strikes in Syria to “eliminate” IS fighters and weapons sites. Those strikes followed an ambush near Palmyra that killed two US troops and an American civilian interpreter. Therefore, the latest British French warplanes strike fits into a broader pattern of continued operations against IS positions.
Now you can get the latest stories from Indtoday on Telegram every day. Click the link to subscribe. Click to follow Indtoday’s Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram. For all the latest Hyderabad News updates
