France Conducts Airstrikes on Islamic State Targets in Syria
The strikes mark France's first operation in Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, targeting two IS military sites in coordination with the international coalition.
- French forces carried out airstrikes on two Islamic State (IS) targets in central Syria on December 29, using Rafale fighter jets and Reaper drones.
- This is France's first military operation in Syria since the Assad regime was toppled by a rebel offensive earlier this month, creating concerns about IS regrouping amid regional instability.
- The strikes were part of Operation Chammal, France's contribution to the international coalition against IS, which has been active in Iraq since 2014 and Syria since 2015.
- France's defense minister emphasized the country's continued commitment to combating terrorism in the Levant, with 600 French troops currently deployed in the region.
- The United States has also increased its military presence in Syria, doubling its troop numbers to 2,000 in recent months to prevent IS from exploiting the power vacuum left by Assad's fall.
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