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| Image: AI Generated |
Damascus, January 4 - In a significant demonstration of allied cooperation against terrorism, France and the United Kingdom conducted a joint airstrike on January 3, 2026, targeting an underground Islamic State (ISIS) facility in central Syria. Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 jets, supported by a Voyager refueling tanker, coordinated seamlessly with French Air and Space Force aircraft to strike the site, located in mountainous terrain north of the ancient city of Palmyra. The operation focused on destroying access tunnels to a suspected weapons and explosives cache used by ISIS remnants, employing precision-guided munitions such as Paveway IV bombs from the UK side and AASM Hammer systems from France. Initial assessments indicate the target was successfully engaged, with no reports of civilian casualties in the remote area.
📍Syrie | Dans le cadre d’OIR (Operation Inherent Resolve) la 🇫🇷 et son allié 🇬🇧 ont réalisé des frappes contre des positions du groupe terroriste de l’État islamique.
— Armée française - Opérations militaires (@EtatMajorFR) January 4, 2026
⁰➡️ Empêcher la résurgence de Daesh: un enjeu majeur pour la sécurité de la région.
⁰➡️ La lutte contre le… pic.twitter.com/bllq9vSHA7
This France-UK joint airstrike on an ISIS target underscores ongoing efforts to counter the persistent threat posed by the terrorist group, also known as Daesh or ISIL, despite its territorial defeat in 2019. Intelligence analysis had identified the underground structure as a likely storage point for arms, highlighting ISIS's continued attempts to maintain operational capabilities in Syria's desert regions. The strike aligns with broader international commitments under Operation Inherent Resolve, aimed at preventing any resurgence of Islamic State activities that could destabilize the Middle East and threaten global security.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized the operation's role in showcasing British leadership and solidarity with allies in combating ISIS ideology. The coordinated action reflects deepened military ties between France and the UK, both key contributors to anti-ISIS campaigns since 2014. French forces, operating under Opération Chammal, have similarly prioritized degrading Daesh networks, ensuring precision to minimize risks in complex environments.
As ISIS sleeper cells remain active, conducting sporadic attacks amid Syria's evolving political landscape, such joint airstrikes serve as a critical deterrent. The successful France-UK mission reinforces the resolve of coalition partners to eliminate remaining ISIS infrastructure, safeguarding regional stability and preventing the group's potential revival in central Syria.