RTSun, 15 Nov 2015 21:12 UTC
France has carried out a massive airstrike on an Islamic State stronghold in Raqqa, Syria. It struck dozen's of targets including a command and control center, training camp and munitions warehouse, the country's defense ministry announced.
Ten French fighter jets took part in the country's biggest air raid in Syria, the statement from the defense ministry read.
The strike, coordinated with the United States, was carried out simultaneously from Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, according to Reuters.
"The first target destroyed was used by Daesh (a derogatory Arabic acronym for IS) as a command post, jihadist recruitment center and arms and munitions depot. The second held a terrorist training camp," a ministry statement said, adding that in total some 30 targets were struck in the raid.
Comment: And more from
CNN:
The French president's office said that the strikes in Syria, which began Sunday, were based on intelligence gathered from air surveillance operations conducted over Syria during the past two weeks.
"Our country confirms its firm commitment to the fight against the terrorist threat Daesh," the statement said, using the Arabic acronym for ISIS. "We will strike whenever our national security is at stake."
President Francois Hollande, speaking on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, described the camp as a "threat to our country."
"We reached our goal and the whole training camp was destroyed," Hollande said.
Six aircraft were used in the mission, which was led by the French but closely coordinated with the U.S.-led coalition, he said.
Despite the "horrible acts" committed by ISIS, Hollande placed the blame for the Syrian crisis on the country's long time strongman Bashar al-Assad.
"Bashar al Assad is the main person at fault, although Daesh commits horrible acts," Hollande said. "The future of Syria cannot happen with Bashar al Assad."
Question: does the French government have a mandate to do this, from either the UN or the host country?
Comment: And more from CNN: Question: does the French government have a mandate to do this, from either the UN or the host country?