VOA: France Launches Airstrikes Against IS Targets in Syria
France said Sunday it had launched its first airstrikes against the Islamic State militants in Syria.
A statement from the office of French President Francois Hollande said the strikes were conducted early Sunday and were coordinated with France's regional partners.
Earlier this month, France had begun reconnaissance flights over Syria.
Hollande's statement said information about the targets of Sunday's airstrikes was gathered from that surveillance.
More News On France Launching Air Strikes Against The Islamic State In Syria
France bombs IS group training camp in Syria -- France 24
France fires first airstrikes on extremists in Syria -- AP
Hollande details French strikes in Syria -- AP
France launches air strikes against Islamic State in Syria -- Reuters
France Says It Has Struck at ISIS in Syria -- NYT
France Launches First Airstrikes Against ISIS in Syria -- NBC
France launches its first airstrikes against ISIS in Syria -- CNN
France launches first air strikes against ISIL in Syria -- Al Jazeera
France carries out first airstrikes against ISIS in Syria -- RT
French strikes in Syria to reap political, but not military gains -- Expatica
Why?
ReplyDeleteBecause the US told them to do it in advance of the talks with Putin?
ReplyDeleteBob,
ReplyDelete"Because the US told them to do it in advance of the talks with Putin?"
That wouldn't surprise me, but still why? What would the French get out of it?
The french are losers. They always do what the americans tell them even when it goes directly against their own interest(read mistral)
ReplyDeleteMilitary support from the US once ISIS hits their border?
ReplyDeleteBob,
ReplyDelete"Military support from the US once ISIS hits their border?"
Honestly your guess is as good as mine. This is one of those head scratchers, I can think of a lot of reasons, but not one of them would have a sufficient pay off for France.
James,
DeleteSelling more weapons to Middle Eastern customers, for example, the Rafele.
"Selling more weapons to Middle Eastern customers, for example, the Rafele."
ReplyDeletePossible, but most will be buying Russian/Chinese. Don't think it's a big enough temptation.
James,
ReplyDeletehttp://m.france24.com/en/20150503-arms-sales-becoming-france-new-el-dorado-but-what-cost-francois-hollande-saudi-arabia-rafale
Could be pressure from the right in France to "do something" about the refugee crisis. Holland could be worried that he's not looking too effective this. Judging by what Len Pen is going through right now, it seems she's seen as a threat.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/22/marine-le-pen-faces-court-on-charge-of-inciting-racial-hatred
She's also been calling for alignment with Russia on Syria
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-27/le-pen-says-france-should-align-with-russia-on-approach-to-syria
Could be pressure from the right in France to "do something" about the refugee crisis. Holland could be worried that he's not looking too effective this. Judging by what Len Pen is going through right now, it seems she's seen as a threat.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/22/marine-le-pen-faces-court-on-charge-of-inciting-racial-hatred
She's also been calling for alignment with Russia on Syria
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-27/le-pen-says-france-should-align-with-russia-on-approach-to-syria