France Says Its Airstrikes Hit an ISIS Camp in Syria

New York Times ^ | 09/27/2015 | By AURELIEN BREEDEN

[SeekAndFind]

PARIS — In France’s first airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Syria, warplanes destroyed a training camp, President François Hollande announced on Sunday.

At a news conference in New York, where he had arrived for the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Hollande said that the warplanes had attacked the training camp in eastern Syria after it had been identified by French air surveillance with help from the coalition of Western and Middle Eastern states conducting the air campaign against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, ISIL or Daesh.

“Our forces reached their objectives: The camp was completely destroyed,” Mr. Hollande said. “Six jets were used, including five Rafales, and they were able to ensure that our operation did not have any consequences for the civilian population.”

He added that France might launch other strikes in the coming weeks if necessary, with the goal of “identifying targets that are training camps or places where we know that the Daesh terrorist group can threaten the security of our country.”

Prime Minister Manuel Valls also confirmed to reporters in southeastern France that the airstrikes had taken place.

“We are striking Daesh in Syria because this terrorist organization prepares and organizes attacks in France from Syria, from these sanctuaries,” Mr. Valls said. “We are therefore acting in self-defense, which Article 51 of the United Nations Charter permits us to do.”

Mr. Hollande’s announcement did not come as a surprise. He said this month that France would start air surveillance missions over Syria, and a week later, his defense minister confirmed that France was gathering intelligence to conduct airstrikes on Islamic State targets there.

[Chgogal]

Who would have believed 14 years after 9/11, that France is more aggressive than the US of A.

Uneffingeblievable!

[Lucy Hamilton]

With Inspector Clouseau running France, what could go wrong?

Hollande is the most unpopular President in French history, last I looked his approval rating was 15%

[yarddog]

I think Syria was a French possession until WWII.

[PLMerite]

“France Says Its Airstrikes Hit an ISIS Camp in Syria”

That was the idea, wasn’t it ?

[TXBlair]

I never thought I’d be singing the praises of France’s military; my, how times have changed. I’ll never forget some FReeper’s comment not so long after 9/11 and when France was being worthless: “France is, and will always be, a toilet.” I can’t remember the FReeper, but I sure recall the comment because it was so true.

Good on you, Frenchies, for stepping up now. Wish we could say the same...

[Lucy Hamilton]

Syria was a French Mandate after WWI until 24 October 1945, although the French didn’t leave until 1946.

Syria gained independence when they became a founding member of the evil UN.

Prior to end of WWI Syria was under Ottoman rule. So they know all about an Islamic Caliphate and like any sane group of people don’t want to be back under another one.

[yarddog]

Thanks.

[epow]

Our forces reached their objectives: ”

My dear departed grandpa had an old saying that fits that claim.

"Even a blind hog finds an acorn once in a while".

[Lucy Hamilton]

No problem.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

The French remember how to win a war. We used to know how to do it.

The response of someone who remembers W.W.II. Me.

Our response to the enemy who killed our military and civilians: image of World War II enemy city on a typical day during the war.

Our enemy today.. nothing to fear from us.

How the U.S. and Allies won WW II: they wanted to win.

See. It's simple. Let our military be military.

Step 1. Kill the ISIS enemy where they are even among innocent civilians. Don't leave anything enemy standing or alive.

Step 2. If any "refugees" swarming over Europe or here in the U.S. protest Step 1 kill them.

Why do the aged 1960s Marxist-Allinsky campus radical, psycho spoiled brats and their ideological litter occupying buildings on the Beltway campus (the Obama administration) protect ISIS from our military? Islamist presidential advisers are in charge?

[batterycommander]

The frogs aren’t handcuffed by constraining Rules of Engagement (ROE). ROE are an invention of a political command staff.

[yarddog]

This photo was taken by a member of my Father's outfit, the 208th Engineer Combat Battalion. General Simpson and Field Marshall Montgomery are both seen. There had obviously been a lot of combat here which is near St. Lo.

[hinckley buzzard]

Yes, the formerly "Free World" now must rely in Russia and France to defend its values against the barbarian hordes. The United States by contrast is A-f'ing-WOL.

[dfwgator]

Vive La France.

[dfwgator]

And hopefully France will wise up and vote for Marine Le Pen next year.

[Chgogal]

Thank you. I am on the same page you are. Many on FR are AWOL too.

[Lopeover]

Speak for yourself.

[tumblindice]

Has our State Department whined yet about th .... I mean, lodged a strong protest with the United Nations?

[SunkenCiv]

• UNIFIL Background - United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon