UK and France strike IS weapons site in Syria’s mountains, hitting target with no civilian presence.

The United Kingdom and France conducted a joint airstrike on an underground facility in Syria's mountains north of Palmyra, allegedly used by the Islamic State (IS) to store weapons and explosives. RAF Typhoons and French aircraft dropped guided bombs on access tunnels, with the UK claiming there were no civilians in the area, and initial reports indicate the target was successfully hit. The strike is part of ongoing efforts to prevent a resurgence of IS after its defeat in 2019. Defence Secretary John Healey praised military personnel, many of whom were deployed over the Christmas and New Year period, and reaffirmed the United Kingdom's commitment to international counterterrorism cooperation and aerial patrols over Syria.