France launches air strikes against IS as world leaders seek to end Syria civil war

France has launched air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria in an effort to stem its growing presence there, it was announced on Sunday. The president’s office said the strikes hit targets identified during reconnaissance missions conducted over the past fortnight. “Our country thus confirms its resolute commitment to fight against the terrorist threat represented by Daesh,” the French presidency said in a statement.

We will strike each time that our national security is at stake

French president’s office

France, which has so far only taken part in strikes in Iraq, began reconnaissance flights over Syria earlier this month in order to gather information on Islamic State positions. The escalation comes as Syria dominates the agenda at the UN general assembly in New York, where concern was growing over Russian president Vladimir Putin’s show of military support for Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. In New York on Monday, Mr Putin will outline his plan for ending the country’s four-year civil war, notably the idea of expanding a coalition, which would include Assad’s army, to fight Islamic State. However, other leaders, such as Britain’s David Cameron, say the war will only be resolved by a political agreement, which includes removing Mr Assad from power.

The Russians think the biggest problem is the Islamic State and the way to fix it is that people should stop fighting Bashar al-Assad and should help him. The American/Turkish/Saudi position is Bashar al-Assad is the biggest problem.

Robert Ford, former US ambassador to Syria

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