France has launched its first air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria in an effort to stem the militant group’s growing presence in the country. The French president confirmed the strikes in a statement, ABC reported.
“Our country thus confirms its resolute commitment to fight against the terrorist threat represented by Daesh [IS],” the statement said.
“We will strike each time that our national security is at stake.”
Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on BFM-TV that the strikes targeted IS training centers where militants were being prepared for carrying out attacks in France.
“We are hitting Daesh [IS] because this terrorist organization prepares its attacks against France from Syria. We are acting in self-defense,” Mr Valls said.
France, which until now had only taken part in strikes against IS militants in Iraq, began reconnaissance flights over Syria earlier this month in order to gather information on IS positions.
The United States, Bahrain, Canada, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates have also carried out strikes in Syria, according to the Combined Joint Task Force in charge of Operation Inherent Resolve. France said the strikes were conducted using information collected during these reconnaissance flights and had been launched in coordination with its partners.
