9/29/2015

France Targets Syria


PARIS — French warplanes have struck targets in Syria for the first time, President François Hollande’s office said Sunday.

The strikes were launched against targets identified during reconnaissance missions flown by the French airforce over the past two weeks, in coordination with the U.S.-led coalition bombing Islamic State of Syria and the Levant, or ISIL, a statement from the presidency said.

It did not specify how many strikes were carried out, or against which type of target.

The strikes confirm the extension of France’s air campaign against ISIL from Iraq, where France’s efforts were originally contained, to Syria, as Hollande announced two weeks ago.

“We will strike every time our national security is threatened,” the statement said. “But the Syrian chaos must have a global solution.

Civilian populations must be protected against all forms of violence, those of Daesh (ISIL), but also against the murderous bombardments of [Syrian President] Bashar al-Assad.”

Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said this month that France was launching strikes in Syria to prevent ISIL from mounting terrorist attacks in France, and because the group had advanced more than expected in Syria.      Read more:

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