France Russia strike Islamic State Hollande Putin to meet
Date
11/17/2015 11:04:26 PM
(MENAFN- Asia Times) French jets strike IS targets in Syria
Still reeling from the Paris carnage that killed 129 people France formally requested European Union assistance in its battle and British Prime Minister David Cameron edged closer to extending military action against Islamic State in Syria.
Police investigating the worst atrocity in France since World War Two discovered two locations in Paris where they believe the militants launched their assault. Underlining the widening scope of the probe police in Germany said they had arrested seven suspects including two women.
In Moscow the Kremlin acknowledged that a bomb had destroyed a Russian airliner last month killing 224 people. President Vladimir Putin vowed to hunt down those responsible and intensify air strikes against Islamists in Syria.
“Our air force’s military work in Syria must not simply be continued” he said. “It must be intensified in such a way that the criminals understand that retribution is inevitable.”
Syrian targets hit by Russian long-range bombers and cruise missiles on Tuesday included the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa. In a separate action French warplanes targeted Raqqa for a second day running.
Paris and Moscow are not coordinating their operations but French President Francois Hollande has called for a global campaign against the radicals in the wake of the Paris attacks.
The Kremlin said Putin spoke to Hollande by telephone and had ordered the Russian navy to establish contact with a French naval force heading to the eastern Mediterranean led by an aircraft carrier and to treat them as allies.
“We need to work out a plan with them of joint sea and air actions” Putin told military chiefs. Read more
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.