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| Islamic State: France ready to launch Iraq air strikes | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| France's president says he has agreed to the Iraqi government's request for air support for forces fighting the jihadist group, Islamic State (IS). | France's president says he has agreed to the Iraqi government's request for air support for forces fighting the jihadist group, Islamic State (IS). |
| Francois Hollande told reporters that French air strikes would only target the jihadist group's positions in Iraq, and not neighbouring Syria. | Francois Hollande told reporters that French air strikes would only target the jihadist group's positions in Iraq, and not neighbouring Syria. |
| He also insisted that he would not be sending ground troops. | He also insisted that he would not be sending ground troops. |
| France is already carrying out reconnaissance flights over Iraq and providing weapons to Kurdish fighters. | France is already carrying out reconnaissance flights over Iraq and providing weapons to Kurdish fighters. |
| US fighter jets and drones have undertaken more than 170 air strikes on IS in Iraq since mid-August in an effort to protect US personnel and displaced Iraqis, and secure key infrastructure. | US fighter jets and drones have undertaken more than 170 air strikes on IS in Iraq since mid-August in an effort to protect US personnel and displaced Iraqis, and secure key infrastructure. |
| The air campaign has enabled Iraqi and Kurdish forces to retake the important Mosul Dam, along with several small towns. | The air campaign has enabled Iraqi and Kurdish forces to retake the important Mosul Dam, along with several small towns. |
| However, the jihadists remain in control of dozens of cities and towns in Iraq and Syria, where they have announced the creation of a caliphate. | However, the jihadists remain in control of dozens of cities and towns in Iraq and Syria, where they have announced the creation of a caliphate. |
| 'Positive response' | |
| On Monday, France hosted an international conference that saw 26 countries pledged their commitment to supporting the new Iraqi government in its fight against IS "by any means necessary, including appropriate military assistance". | |
| Shortly afterwards, French jets based at al-Dhafra in the United Arab Emirates began reconnaissance flights over Iraq. | |
| At his twice-yearly news conference in Paris on Thursday, Mr Hollande revealed that he had told the authorities in Baghdad that France was now ready to carry out air strikes. | |
| "I have decided to respond positively to the Iraqi authorities to provide air support," he said. | |
| "We will not go beyond that. There will not be ground troops and we will only intervene in Iraq." | |
| Mr Hollande said the French jets would help Iraqi soldiers and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters on the ground, adding: "As soon as we have identified targets, we will act almost immediately." |