Response to the attack on American troops in December
During the operation, the air forces of the UK and France targeted tunnels believed to lead to an underground ammunition and explosives depot of the terrorist group "Islamic State" in the mountains near Palmyra, Syria, according to DW.
The attack, which took place in the evening of January 3, involved British Typhoon fighter jets operating in conjunction with the French Air Force. The UK Ministry of Defense reported that this site was likely used by ISIS for storing weapons and explosives.
The strikes were aimed at the tunnels leading to this depot, using Paveway IV guided bombs. British military officials noted that there were no civilians in the vicinity at the time of the attack. Preliminary reports indicated that the damage from the strike was significant, and the target was successfully hit, the UK Ministry of Defense stated.
UK Defense Secretary John Healey stated that this operation underscores the country's determination to act in cooperation with allies to prevent the resurgence of ISIS and its dangerous ideologies in the Middle East.
It is worth noting that the United States leads an international coalition fighting ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Although the group has suffered significant losses, some militants continue to remain in these countries and carry out attacks.
Recall that on December 13, an ISIS militant in Syria ambushed and killed two American soldiers and one American civilian. President Donald Trump promised retaliatory measures. On December 20, American forces struck more than 70 ISIS targets in various provinces of Syria, as reported by Pentagon chief Pete Hegset on social media X, adding that the attacks were conducted in coordination with the new Syrian authorities.
Additionally, on December 26, Trump announced on Truth Social that American forces delivered a "powerful and deadly" strike against ISIS targets in Nigeria in response to the killings of civilians for religious reasons.
Photo www
