France airstrikes hit ISIL targets in Syria

[EC]

France has announced its first air strikes against ISIL following its decision to expand its bombing campaign from neighbouring Iraq against the group.

The French president’s office said in a statement that the strikes hit targets identified during reconnaissance missions earlier this month.

“Our country thus confirms its resolute commitment to fight against the terrorist threat represented by Daesh [ISIL]. We will strike each time that our national security is at stake,” the statement said.

http://www.euronews.com/2015/09/27/france-airstrikes-hit-isil-targets-in-syria/

I'm honestly shocked. The French are horribly over-extended in Central Africa and Iraq already, so taking on another theatre, even if in a token way, is quite impressive.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Seems like the French will now support Assad in an effort to stop the flow of refugees. 

[EC]

Cameron has reportedly just said he's cool with Assad staying in power if it brings the Russians in against ISIS.

Waiting for a decent (confirmed) source before posting that.

[alicewonders]

It seems to me if ISIS is put down, that will stop the flow of refugees.

If we had gone after them at the beginning, I don't think we would be seeing all of these people fleeing Syria and other places.  You have to weigh which is the greater challenge - destroying ISIS or trying to take in all of those people.

[Godzilla]

It seems to me if ISIS is put down, that will stop the flow of refugees.

If we had gone after them at the beginning, I don't think we would be seeing all of these people fleeing Syria and other places.  You have to weigh which is the greater challenge - destroying ISIS or trying to take in all of those people.

Yes.

And there is now the pressure to do something so their own governments can have a say in how the region will be set up, post-ISIS.

Something we ought to heed.  (but, as corrolary, any action would need to be paid for... and just look at Congress)

[truth_seeker]

Seems like Assad joins the list of awful leaders in the ME, that are better left alone, in power than the even worse alternative.

Saddam Hussein, Mubarak, Gadhafi, and now Assad.

[alicewonders]

Seems like Assad joins the list of awful leaders in the ME, that are better left alone, in power than the even worse alternative.

Saddam Hussein, Mubarak, Gadhafi, and now Assad.

Exactly.

[flowers]

Seems like Assad joins the list of awful leaders in the ME, that are better left alone, in power than the even worse alternative.

Saddam Hussein, Mubarak, Gadhafi, and now Assad.