Anti-IS strikes in Syria by France

By NewsGram staff writer

Paris: First air strikes were carried out by France against Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria on Sunday, media reported.

France coordinated with regional partners for the operation, a statement by the President's office said.

"Our country thus confirms its resolute commitment to fight against the terrorist threat represented by Daesh," the French Presidency said in a statement, referring to the militant group with a different acronym.

"We will strike each time that our national security is at stake," BBC reported, citing the statement as saying.

President Francois Hollande announced earlier this month that France was preparing to send jets to Syria, beginning with a period of reconnaissance to identify targets.
France previously confined its air strikes against the terror group to Iraqi airspace. A US-led coalition has been carrying out airstrikes against IS in Syria and Iraq for more than a year.

(With inputs from IANS)