PARIS - France has initiated airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) militant positions inside Iraq, becoming the first U.S. ally to do so. The airstrikes were announced on September 19 by the office of France' president, Francois Hollande. Prior to launching the air campaign the French president held a rare news conference on September 18 to announce to the nation his government's intention to join the U.S. aerial mission in support of the Iraqi Security Forces as they combat an IS element that has taken control of up to half of the country. France is utilizing its Rafale jet fighters in the mission, which successfully took out an IS military logistics warehouse in northeast Iraq. Reconnaissance flights over Iraq began earlier on September 15.
Hollande's government has proven pro-active in combating Islamic jihadist elements in Africa and now the Middle East, but the latest campaign comes as his unpopular government has undergone a party reshuffle and miserable economic news.
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