French and British military forces carried out a coordinated airstrike late Saturday targeting a suspected Islamic State (ISIS) underground weapons and explosives storage site in central Syria, the French military and UK Ministry of Defence confirmed.
According to official statements, the operation struck a subterranean complex in the mountainous terrain north of ancient Palmyra, in Homs province, identified by allied intelligence as likely used to stock weapons and explosive devices by ISIS remnants.
RAF Typhoon FGR4 fighter jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions in the strike, supported by a Voyager aerial refueling aircraft.
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
Video footage released by the French Joint Staff showed French Air and Space Force Rafale fighter jets employing AASM Hammer precision-guided munitions. All aircraft returned safely to base.
“Preventing the resurgence of ISIS is a major challenge for the region’s security,” the French Joint Staff commented. “The fight against terrorism remains a priority for France and its Coalition partner countries.”
📍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
While ISIS’s territorial “caliphate” was defeated in Syria in 2019, sleeper cells and insurgent activity persist across the region. As part of Operation Inherent Resolve, Western militaries have continued periodic strikes against identified ISIS positions to disrupt plots and degrade remaining operational capability.
There were no immediate reports of civilian harm, and detailed assessments of damage and intelligence gains from the strike are ongoing.