France announced its first air strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria on 26th September 2015. France cited legitimate defence as its rationale for planning the strikes, while ruling out ground operations.
A statement called for a “comprehensive response (to the) Syrian chaos”, saying: “Civilian populations must be protected against all forms of violence, that of Daesh (ISIS) and other terrorist groups, but also against the murderous bombings of (Syrian President) Bashar al-Assad.
About Islamic State group:
- Former Name: State in Iraq and the Levant (Isis)
- It is a Salafi jihadist extremist militant group and self-proclaimed Islamic state and caliphate.
- It is led by sunni Arabs from Syria and Iraq.
- The organisation is led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
- headquarters: Ar-Raqqah, Syria
- founded in 1999 by Jordanian radical Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
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