British and French warplanes launched coordinated air strikes on underground shelter tunnels used by the Islamic State (IS) in a mountainous area near the Syrian city of Palmyra.
This operation targeted facilities used by the extremist group as a warehouse for storing weapons and explosives.
According to the British Ministry of Defense, the attacks were carried out using precision-guided bombs Paveway IV which was dropped by a British Royal Air Force fighter jet Typhoon FGR4. This mission received logistical support from the Voyager tanker aircraft which was tasked with refueling in the air.
Initial assessments indicate that the target was successfully hit, destroying underground infrastructure used by the terrorist group. British authorities stated that these actions significantly reduced the Islamic State’s operational capabilities in the region.
British Defense Minister, John Healy, said that this operation confirmed Britain’s commitment to regional security. According to him, the offensive shows British leadership and readiness to work with allies to prevent any attempts by extremist groups to re-organize in the Middle East.
Currently, the United States leads an international coalition focused on eradicating the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. Despite having lost most of its territory, the group still has active militants in both countries, carrying out attacks and taking advantage of remote areas to reconsolidate.
In December, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) carried out Operation Hawkeye Strike, a large-scale offensive against Islamic State positions in Syria. The operation involved fighter jets, attack helicopters and artillery support with the aim of weakening the group’s remaining cells.
Our aircraft used 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. pic.twitter.com/IPBOv3rCeR
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) January 3, 2026
Source and image: X @DefenceHQ | Crown Copyright. This content is created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
