Britain and France on Saturday carried out a joint airstrike targeting a suspected underground arms storage facility used by the Islamic State (IS) group in central Syria, in an operation aimed at preventing a resurgence of the militant organisation.

Officials said the strike focused on a site in mountainous terrain north of Palmyra, which intelligence assessments identified as an underground facility used to store weapons and explosives. British authorities confirmed that the area was free of civilian habitation, reducing the risk of civilian casualties.

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 combat jets were deployed for the mission, supported by a Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker. Paveway IV precision-guided bombs were used to destroy access tunnels leading to the underground site. Initial post-strike assessments indicate that the target was successfully hit.

British Defence Secretary John Healey said the operation highlighted the United Kingdom’s continued commitment to working with international partners to counter Islamic State and prevent the spread of its extremist ideology across the Middle East.

Western forces have continued to maintain aerial patrols over Syria to monitor and disrupt any attempts by Islamic State remnants to regroup. Although the group was territorially defeated in 2019, it is still considered a persistent security threat in parts of the region.

Both the British and French air forces confirmed that all aircraft involved in the operation returned safely. Further assessments are ongoing to determine the full impact of the strike.

The joint operation underscores sustained international efforts to stabilise Syria and prevent extremist groups from rebuilding their operational capabilities.