France begins surveillance flights to back US air campaign against Islamic State
France has joined Britain in carrying out reconnaissance flights in support of the US air campaign against jihadists launched in Iraq early last month.
Al-Dhafra: France has joined Britain in carrying out reconnaissance flights in support of the US air campaign against jihadists launched in Iraq early last month, the defence minister said on Monday.
Representational image. Reuters
"This very morning, the first reconnaissance flights will be carried out in agreement with the Iraqi and Emirati authorities," Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told French troops, including pilots, at the Al-Dhafra base in the United Arab Emirates.
Le Drian's visit to the base came as Paris prepared to host an international conference on a fightback against militants of the Islamic State, who have seized swathes of Iraq and neighbouring Syria.
The conference has been given added urgency by the beheading of a third Western hostage, British aid worker David Haines, on Saturday.
Britain had already been conducting extensive surveillance flights over Iraq in support of the US from its regional base in Cyprus, but has so far held back from carrying out strikes on IS targets.
AFP
Subscribe to Moneycontrol Pro at ₹499 for the first year. Use code PRO499. Limited period offer. *T&C apply
also read
Three women working for Afghan news outlet gunned down in Jalalabad by Islamic State affiliate
The women’s deaths come at a perilous time for Afghanistan as security around the country continues to decline and the US' planned withdrawal of troops on 1 May looms
Ligue 1: PSG striker Moise Kean isolating after testing positive for coronavirus
PSG face Barcelona in the Round of 16 of the Champions League on next Wednesday, leading 4-1 from the first leg in Spain, with Kean scoring a goal in that game.
Rare Paris painting by Van Gogh to be exhibited ahead of Sotheby’s auction
Street Scene in Montmartre depicts a windmill named the Pepper Mill, seen from the street under a bright sky, with a man, a women and a little girl walking in front of wooden palisades that surrounded the place.