UK RAF Typhoons Join French Forces in Strike Against IS Arms Cache Near Palmyra
On 4 January 2026, UK RAF Typhoon FGR4 fighter jets joined French aircraft in a coordinated strike targeting an underground Islamic State (IS) arms cache located in the mountains just north of Palmyra, Syria. Intelligence had identified the facility as a storage site for arms and explosives used by IS militants.
The RAF Typhoons, supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker, deployed Paveway IV guided bombs to target access tunnels leading down to the underground facility. All aircraft returned safely and there were no reports of civilian harm.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized that the operation demonstrates leadership and a firm commitment to eliminating Daesh (IS). RAF patrols will continue to operate in the region to prevent any resurgence of IS activity.
This strike is part of ongoing efforts since the defeat of IS at Baghuz in 2019 to dismantle the group's capabilities. Notably, in December 2025, the US conducted a large-scale strike against IS in Syria following an ambush near Palmyra. The United Nations estimates that IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters across Syria and Iraq.
