Previous Mandate Holders, Britain and France, Helping To Free Syria From Isis

 Nadene Goldfoot                                       

The Sada News Agency, or SNA, is one of the Iraqi news agencies, one of the media sectors of the Iraqi Media Network is linked directly to the Federation of Journalists of Iraq, its headquarters in Baghdad and has branches and centers inside Iraq only.
                       

Being yesterday was the day of all days with 2 countries; Iran, Venezuela,  in the mix of being taken down, we have SadaNews informing us to add one more:  that the  - British and French fighter jets bombed a site near Palmyra in central Syria late Saturday night that London says was an underground weapons depot previously controlled by the Islamic State.

France held a League of Nations mandate over Syria (and Lebanon) from 1923 to 1946, established after World War I to prepare the former Ottoman territory for self-governance, though France maintained significant control, creating separate states based on sectarian lines, building infrastructure, and suppressing nationalist revolts until full Syrian independence in 1946. Mandatory Palestine: Britain was granted a mandate over the area encompassing modern-day Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Transjordan (now Jordan) in 1922. This mandate ended on May 14, 1948, with the British withdrawal and the subsequent declaration of the State of Israel. Mesopotamia: Britain held the mandate for Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) until Iraq gained independence in 1932.

Coordinated Strike - RAF Typhoon and French Jets

Britain and France conducted joint military operation January 3 2026 striking underground ISIS facility north Palmyra Syria according UK Ministry of Defence. Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 fighter jets coordinated with French aircraft in combat operation targeting weapons storage facility believed containing explosives and equipment.​

This came in a statement issued by the British Ministry of Defense, which indicated that initial indications suggested the target - located a few miles north of Palmyra - had been successfully hit.

The Syrian Free Army (SFA) took control of Palmyra on 7 December 2024 after clashing with regime forces before going in the direction of Damascus.

The ministry stated that the underground depot is suspected of having been previously used by the Islamic State in Syria.

It added, "Our aircraft used precision-guided 'Paveway 4' bombs to target several tunnels leading to the facility."

The ministry continued, "While a detailed assessment is now underway, initial indicators suggest that the target was successfully destroyed, and there are no indications of civilians being endangered."

Palmyra was an important archaeological site, full of historic art, statues, places, and ISIS had come in trying to destroy it all.  It was the crime of the century.  No one was using these artifacts for their religion;  it had only historic value; and would have been an excellent draw for tourism.  

Resource:

Edited By Abhinav Yadav

Published: Jan 04, 2026, 19:05 IST | Updated: Jan 04, 2026, 20:00 IST

Source: Reuters:  https://www.sadanews.ps/en/news/263541.html

https://www.wionews.com/photos/-joint-operation-british-and-french-fighter-jets-strike-an-isis-underground-facility-in-syria-1767531991818/1767531991819

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_(2024)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra