RAF Typhoons, alongside French aircraft, conducted a joint operation targeting an underground facility in Syria previously held by Islamic State for storage of weapons and explosives, as confirmed by the Ministry of Defence. The strike, utilizing guided bombs, focused on access tunnels leading to the facility situated near Palmyra in Syria’s central mountainous area.
The Ministry stated that the facility was likely used for weapon and explosive storage, with no civilians in the vicinity. Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized the UK’s commitment to collaborating with allies to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group, also known as Islamic State.
Healey expressed gratitude to the armed forces involved in the mission to eliminate threatening terrorists. Meanwhile, Islamic State remains a concern both locally and globally, highlighted by the October incident where the Manchester synagogue attacker professed allegiance to the group during a 999 call made post-attack.
Counter Terrorism Policing North West disclosed that the attacker, Jihad Al-Shamie, personally dialed emergency services after the initial report, claiming responsibility for the assault and declaring loyalty to Islamic State. Al-Shamie was fatally shot by police outside the Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue following a rampage involving a vehicle and a knife attack on pedestrians.
In a separate report by the Mirror in November, it was revealed that Islamic State had integrated artificial intelligence technology to recruit potential British jihadists, alarming intelligence agencies in the UK.