France mulls strikes on IS in Syria

AFP, PARIS: France is considering air strikes against Islamic State (IS) jihadists in Syria, in what would be a reversal of its current position, Le Monde daily said on Saturday. Neither the French presidency, the foreign ministry nor the defence ministry would comment on the report, with officials saying only that President Francois Hollande may address the question during his twice-yearly press conference on Monday. France currently only participates in missions against IS in Iraq following that country’s request for international help against the jihadists. Paris has refused to carry out strikes in Syria on fears that foreign intervention may inadvertently help Syrian President Bashar al-Assad hold on to power. But Le Monde said France is feeling compelled by events to reconsider its position and could begin reconnaissance flights over the war-torn country. “Hollande is considering striking IS in Syria,” Le Monde headlined. “The accelerating exodus of Syrian (refugees), the failure of the coalition to push IS back and the possible reinforcement of Russian military presence (in Syria) are challenging the French position,” Le Monde said.

France mulls strikes on IS in Syria

AFP, PARIS: France is considering air strikes against Islamic State (IS) jihadists in Syria, in what would be a reversal of its current position, Le Monde daily said on Saturday. Neither the French presidency, the foreign ministry nor the defence ministry would comment on the report, with officials saying only that President Francois Hollande may address the question during his twice-yearly press conference on Monday. France currently only participates in missions against IS in Iraq following that countrys request for international help against the jihadists. Paris has refused to carry out strikes in Syria on fears that foreign intervention may inadvertently help Syrian President Bashar al-Assad hold on to power. But Le Monde said France is feeling compelled by events to reconsider its position and could begin reconnaissance flights over the war-torn country. Hollande is considering striking IS in Syria, Le Monde headlined. The accelerating exodus of Syrian (refugees), the failure of the coalition to push IS back and the possible reinforcement of Russian military presence (in Syria) are challenging the French position, Le Monde said.