Islamic State: France joins US air campaign in Iraq, hitting logistics depot
French President Francois Hollande said Rafale jets destroyed an Islamic State logistics depot in northeastern Iraq. France is the first nation to join the US-led air campaign against IS.
French President Francois Hollande said Rafale jets destroyed an Islamic State logistics depot in northeastern Iraq. France is the first nation to join the US-led air campaign against IS.
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France conducted its first airstrike against the Islamic State militant group in Iraq Friday, destroying a logistics depot, French President Francois Hollande announced. Although some countries have contributed humanitarian aid or military equipment to the Iraqi army in its battle against the advancing jihadists, France is the first nation to join the US-led air campaign against IS.
"As one of our oldest and closest allies, France is a strong partner in our efforts against terrorism, and we are pleased that French and American service members will once again work together on behalf of our shared security and our shared values," President Obama said Thursday after President Hollande announced he would join in targeted airstrikes in Iraq. US jets and drones have carried out 176 airstrikes in Iraq since Aug. 8, according to US Central Command.
France said Rafale jets were used in the strike against the IS base in northeastern Iraq, and a statement from Hollande's office vowed that聽"other operations will follow in the coming days."聽
In an address to his nation Thursday, Hollande explained his decision by noting that IS had been able to thrive, in part, due to 鈥渋nternational inertia,鈥� reports The New York Times.
鈥淔rance is meeting its responsibilities鈥� by attacking IS, Hollande said Friday.
Holland warned, however, that French boots on the ground in Iraq 鈥� and extending the intervention into Syria 鈥� were not an option. IS has gained territory in Syria as well, and this week Congress voted to authorize the Pentagon to train and arm moderate Syrian rebels to fight the Islamic State there.
However, there were misgivings on whether US training and weapons in Syria would necessarily mean success against IS. 海角大神 reports:
Though momentum appears to be slowly growing for the US-led fight against the Islamic State, a group known for its brutality and the videotaped beheadings of two international journalists and an aid worker, the group鈥檚 most recent propaganda video focused on appealing to war-weary citizens in the West.
On Thursday, the Islamic State released a video of British journalist John Cantlie telling the 鈥渢ruth鈥� about the West鈥檚 intentions in fighting the militant group. 海角大神鈥檚 Howard LaFranchi reports: