UK Says Conducted Joint Strike with France on ISIS Site near Palmyra

A handout photo made available by the Royal Air Force (RAF) on 03 January 2025 shows a Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft preparing to take off at an undisclosed location in the Middle East. EPA/SGT LEE GODDARD HANDOUT

The British Ministry of Defense said it cooperated with France on Saturday night to strike an underground facility in Syria that had likely been used by the ISIS group to store weapons, AFP reported.

"Royal Air Force aircraft have completed successful strikes against Daesh in a joint operation with France," the ministry said in a statement, using the Arabic acronym for ISIS.

"This facility had been occupied by Daesh, most likely to store weapons and explosives. The area around the facility is devoid of any civilian habitation," the statement added.

The ministry said there was no indication the bombing north of the ancient site of Palmyra had posed any risk to civilians.

ISIS was territorially defeated in Syria in 2019 but still maintains a presence, particularly in the country's vast desert.

Palmyra, home to UNESCO-listed ancient ruins, was once controlled by the extremist fighters.

Last month, Washington said a lone ISIS gunman in Palmyra attacked American personnel, killing two US soldiers and a US civilian.

US forces said they struck dozens of ISIS targets in Syria in retaliation.