France to conduct airstrikes in Syria

French President Francois Hollande gestures during his press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Monday Sept.7, 2015. France will send reconnaissance flights over Syria beginning Tuesday to help plan airstrikes in the fight against the Islamic State group, the president said. AP

PARIS — French President Francois Hollande says his country will conduct airstrikes in Syria to fight the Islamic State group.

France made its first reconnaissance flights over Syria last week in order to plan a potential air operation.

Hollande confirmed that airstrikes “will be necessary in Syria,” in a news conference on Monday in Paris. He didn’t say when the operation will start.

Until now, France has only conducted airstrikes in Iraq as a member of the US-led coalition, fearing that hitting at IS in Syria would ultimately help the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

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