French strikes hit IS targets

  • 09/10/2015
(Reuters)
(Reuters)

French warplanes have carried out a second wave of strikes overnight on Islamic State targets in Syria, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said.

"Two Rafale jets dropped bombs on an IS training camp. The objectives were accomplished," he told Europe 1 radio, adding that further air strikes would follow.

Le Drian said "80 to 90 percent" of Russian strikes in Syria were aimed at propping up President Bashar al-Assad, Moscow's long-term ally.

"The Russian military action in Syria over the past 10 days does not target Daesh, their main aim is [to ensure] the security of Bashar al-Assad," he said.

French President Francois Hollande said this week that failure to act in Syria risks stoking a "total war" in the Middle East.

France carried out it first air strikes in Syria on September 27.

AFP