Sunday, 27 September 2015

IS: France launches air strikes in Syria


France has carried out its first air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria.


French planes destroyed a training camp in the eastern town of Deir al-Zour, President Francois Hollande said.


A United States-led coalition has been carrying out air strikes against IS in Syria and Iraq for more than a year, the BBC reports.


Speaking in New York, Mr. Hollande said a political solution was needed to end the Syrian war, but President Bashar al-Assad could not be part of it.


France, like the United Kingdom, has previously confined its air strikes against the Islamic State group to Iraqi airspace.


The UK announced earlier this month it had carried out a drone strike against two British citizens in Syria but has yet to fly manned operations in Syrian airspace.


Mr. Assad has a staunch ally in Russian President Vladimir Putin.


In order to secure Russia’s support in the fight against IS, Mr. Cameron is expected to tell the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York that Mr. Assad could remain temporarily in power at the head of a transitional government.


European leaders gathering at the UN are intensifying calls for a diplomatic push in Syria in the wake of a massive influx of refugees heading for Europe.


 





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