French military bolsters Iraq presence with fighter jets for Mosul offensive
PARIS:
On board the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle: French
warplanes are flying over Iraq after the Charles de Gaulle aircraft
carrier rejoined the U.S.-led fight against Daesh (ISIS) extremists –
and as the coalition prepares to try to take back the key city of Mosul.
France, which has suffered repeated attacks at home from Daesh-linked
extremists, is ramping up its military presence in Iraq ahead of the
offensive in Mosul, the largest city held by the militants. The Iraqi
government has been gearing up with support from the United States and
other allies for the mission, which could mark a turning point in the
fight against Daesh.
Eight jets took off from the Charles de Gaulle carrier in the eastern Mediterranean in the first operations since it left port in France on Sept. 20, an AFP journalist on board reported.
French military officials refused to say whether the Rafale jets were carrying out airstrikes or were on a reconnaissance mission.
But the return of the Charles de Gaulle to the region on its third mission since February 2015 is another sign of the steady buildup of forces for an offensive on Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city.
French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the carrier was “contributing to the coalition’s strike force,” but that the offensive for Mosul had not yet begun.
“It is not the start of the battle for Mosul. This is the continuation of support operations that we are providing for the coalition,” he said on a visit to western France.
“A major operation is about to be unleashed, but not today,” he added.
A French official, speaking anonymously in line with defense policy, said preparations are still underway with the U.S. and other partners to coordinate the Mosul offensive. She would not provide details of Friday’s operation for the security of the pilots. French planes have flown 32 missions over the past week, with Rafale jets destroying four targets with airstrikes and backing up Iraqi ground forces, according to a French military statement.
The Charles de Gaulle returned to the zone this week after undergoing maintenance in France, and is now on its third mission in the region since the French military started targeting Daesh two years ago in Iraq.
France expanded its airstrikes to Daesh targets in Syria last year. After an attack on Nice on Bastille Day in July killed 86, French President Francois Hollande ordered an artillery battery sent to Iraq to bolster the operation.
About 150 French forces with 4 Caesar artillery systems are now in the area around Qayyarah, 48 kilometers south of Mosul, according to the Defense Ministry. They are performing tactical missions for the coalition, and training Iraqi forces, according to military officials, but are not expected to engage in combat. French medical and logistics teams are also in place.
Eight jets took off from the Charles de Gaulle carrier in the eastern Mediterranean in the first operations since it left port in France on Sept. 20, an AFP journalist on board reported.
French military officials refused to say whether the Rafale jets were carrying out airstrikes or were on a reconnaissance mission.
But the return of the Charles de Gaulle to the region on its third mission since February 2015 is another sign of the steady buildup of forces for an offensive on Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city.
French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the carrier was “contributing to the coalition’s strike force,” but that the offensive for Mosul had not yet begun.
“It is not the start of the battle for Mosul. This is the continuation of support operations that we are providing for the coalition,” he said on a visit to western France.
“A major operation is about to be unleashed, but not today,” he added.
A French official, speaking anonymously in line with defense policy, said preparations are still underway with the U.S. and other partners to coordinate the Mosul offensive. She would not provide details of Friday’s operation for the security of the pilots. French planes have flown 32 missions over the past week, with Rafale jets destroying four targets with airstrikes and backing up Iraqi ground forces, according to a French military statement.
The Charles de Gaulle returned to the zone this week after undergoing maintenance in France, and is now on its third mission in the region since the French military started targeting Daesh two years ago in Iraq.
France expanded its airstrikes to Daesh targets in Syria last year. After an attack on Nice on Bastille Day in July killed 86, French President Francois Hollande ordered an artillery battery sent to Iraq to bolster the operation.
About 150 French forces with 4 Caesar artillery systems are now in the area around Qayyarah, 48 kilometers south of Mosul, according to the Defense Ministry. They are performing tactical missions for the coalition, and training Iraqi forces, according to military officials, but are not expected to engage in combat. French medical and logistics teams are also in place.
Source: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2016/Oct-01/374601-french-military-bolsters-iraq-presence-with-fighter-jets-for-mosul-offensive.ashx
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