France announced Sunday that the French Air Force has carried out its first airstrikes against the Islamic State jihadist group in Syria.
The French Presidency confirmed in a brief statement that its warplanes have bombarded specified ISIS targets in Syria, reported the Associated Press. The targets were identified during reconnaissance missions conducted over the past fortnight, the statement said.
"Our country thus confirms its resolute commitment to fight against the terrorist threat represented by Daesh (ISIS/ISIL)," the presidency said, according to BBC News. "We will strike each time that our national security is at stake."
France also slammed "murderous bombings" of the Bashar al-Assad regime and called for a comprehensive response to the Syrian crisis.
"Civilian populations must be protected against all forms of violence, that of Daesh [Isis] and other terrorist groups, but also against the murderous bombings of Bashar al-Assad, Syrian President," Hollande's office further said, according to The Guardian.
French President François Hollande had announced ealrier this month that his country planned to join anti-ISIS air raids in Syria, reported Metro. France has been participating in anti-ISIS airstrikes in Iraq as part of the U.S.-led coalition against jihadist outfit.
A U.S.-led coalition of western countries has been engage in airstrikes on ISIS controlled regions in Syria and Iraq for more than a year.
