Explosions once again echo in the night sky over Syria: behind the joint UK and French airstrikes are multiple forces surging beneath the surface.

The British military used "Paving" Type IV guided bombs to destroy IS underground facilities, while the French coordinated operations. The action is not only a strike against extremist organizations but also a practical step to deepen UK-France defense cooperation.
It should be noted that although IS has been defeated for years, it remains active along the Syria-Iraq border. This operation has also triggered a chain reaction—Russia accused it of infringing on sovereignty, the West emphasized the legitimacy of counter-terrorism, and there are different voices within Europe.
Every action in this strategic region of the Middle East affects the overall situation, and the road to peace is long and arduous.