France launches airstrikes against ISIL in Syria
- 9 years ago
France on Sunday said it launched its first airstrikes against the Islamic State group in Syria.
French President Francois Hollande earlier this month said his country will have to carry out airstrikes against the militants, also known as ISIL and ISIS, in the war-torn country, days after France ordered surveillance flights over ISIL positions there.
Hollande said there was proof that attacks were planned from Syria against several countries including France, and blamed ISIL for Europe's refugee crisis, the largest the continent has faced since World War II.
Announcing the airstrikes, Hollande's office said in a statement Sunday: "Our country thus confirms its resolute commitment to fight against the terrorist threat represented by Daesh (the Arabic acronym for ISIL).
We will strike each time that our national security is at stake."
French President Francois Hollande earlier this month said his country will have to carry out airstrikes against the militants, also known as ISIL and ISIS, in the war-torn country, days after France ordered surveillance flights over ISIL positions there.
Hollande said there was proof that attacks were planned from Syria against several countries including France, and blamed ISIL for Europe's refugee crisis, the largest the continent has faced since World War II.
Announcing the airstrikes, Hollande's office said in a statement Sunday: "Our country thus confirms its resolute commitment to fight against the terrorist threat represented by Daesh (the Arabic acronym for ISIL).
We will strike each time that our national security is at stake."