PARIS, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- France has launched its first air strikes against Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria to halt the group's progress in the region and ensure security at home, the French presidency said on Sunday.
"Our country thus confirms its resolute commitment to fighting against the terrorist threat represented by Daesh (IS). We will strike each time that our national security is at stake," the Elysee said in a statement.
Earlier this month, Paris began reconnaissance flights over Syria in order to collect information on IS positions and targets.
France, an harsh critics of the Syrian regime, had previously ruled out any military intervention in the conflict-torn Arab country out of fears of benefiting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
France, which has so far only taken part in strikes in Iraq, urged a "global response" to "Syria chaos," mainly via a political transition in which members of the actual Syrian regime and those of moderate opposition would prepare for a post al-Assad era, the statement added.
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