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France launches airstrikes
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France has carried out its first airstrikes in Syria, expanding its military operations against Islamic State extremists, President Francois Hollande’s office said yesterday. The strikes make good on a promise to go after the group that the president has said is planning attacks against several countries.
“France has hit Syria” based on information from French reconnaissance flights sent earlier this month, the statement said. It did not elaborate.
“Our nation will strike each time our national security is at stake,” it said.
France has carried out 215 airstrikes against IS extremists in Iraq as part of the United States-led coalition since last year, its Defense Ministry said earlier this month. It had previously held back on engaging in Syria, citing concern of playing into Assad’s hand and the need for such action to be covered by international law.
Following a change in strategy announced by Hollande earlier this month, his office yesterday cited “legitimate defense” evoked in the United Nations Charter to support the move. Hollande, who has ruled out sending ground troops into Syria, has cited “proof” of plans for attacks on France and the growing danger to Syrian civilians, with a large chunk of the population fleeing in a massive exodus.
The president’s office reiterated yesterday the French argument that airstrikes in Syria were a question of national defense.
France has already been attacked by extremists claiming ties to IS.
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