​​UK and France Strike Islamic State Arms Site in Syria

British and French aircraft have carried out a joint strike on an underground facility in Syria that had been occupied by Islamic State, the UK Ministry of Defence has said. Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined French aircraft in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), the UK Ministry of Defence says. The British Ministry of Defence said it had cooperated with France on Saturday night to strike an underground facility in Syria that had likely been used by the Islamic State group to store weapons.

Guided bombs were used to target access tunnels to the site, in the mountainous region near the ancient city of Palmyra in the centre of the country, on Saturday evening. "Careful" intelligence analysis led officials to believe the facility was storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was in the mountains just north of Palmyra, an ancient site in central Syria.

The Ministry of Defence said British aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target numerous access tunnels down to the facility, explaining that “initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully.” British aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target several access tunnels leading to the facility, the statement said, adding that a detailed assessment was currently underway but that initial indications showed that "the target was successfully hit.”

Typhoon FGR4 combat jets were used to bomb the target, supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker. The Ministry of Defence said there was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and confirmed that all the aircraft returned safely.The facility had probably been used to store weapons and explosives, and the surrounding area was devoid of civilians, the ministry said. 

The French military command later Sunday confirmed on X that it had carried out strikes against positions of the Islamic State terrorist group to prevent the resurgence of Daesh, without giving further details. The strikes were carried out as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the international anti-jihadist coalition coordinated by the United States, the message said.

IS was territorially defeated in Syria in 2019 but still maintains a presence, particularly in the country's vast desert. Western aircraft have been conducting patrols to stop a resurgence of the Islamist militant group that ruled parts of Syria until 2019. Known to Syrians as the Pearl of the Desert, Palmyra was home to UNESCO-listed ancient ruins before Syria's 13-year war. IS launched a campaign of destruction after capturing Palmyra, using its ancient theatre as a venue for public executions and murdering its 82-year-old former antiquities chief. The jihadists blew up the shrine of Baal Shamin, destroyed the Temple of Bel, dynamited the Arch of Triumph, looted the museum and defaced statues and sarcophagi.

Last month, Washington said a lone IS gunman in Palmyra attacked American personnel, killing two US soldiers and a US civilian. Last month, the US military carried out what it called a massive strike against IS targets in Syria following an ambush that killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

The United Nations says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq. UK Defence Secretary John Healey said the operation showed Britain’s determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with its allies to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and its dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East. 

Healey said the operation to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten Britain’s way of life showed how the armed forces are ready to step up all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad. The RAF has been using aerial drones and manned aircraft to strike IS fighters and targets as part of the international coalition since 2014.

Extemp Question:

Will UK–French airstrikes prevent an Islamic State resurgence in Syria?

Read more here:

• Staff, The Guardian

• Tom McArthur & Laurence Peter, BBC

• Staff, RFI