Hollande orders escalation of anti-Daesh strikes in Iraq, Syria

President Francois Hollande on Thursday ordered French air strikes against Islamic State jihadists to be stepped up in Iraq as well as Syria following the Paris attacks, his office said.

"Francois Hollande gave the necessary instructions for the intensification of the military operations under way against Daesh in Syria as well as in Iraq," said a statement issued after he met senior cabinet ministers and military chiefs.

At the meeting, Hollande was briefed on the investigation into the coordinated November 13 attacks by Islamic State jihadists that left 129 people dead.

"The council studied all the measures to boost the protection of our fellow citizens," the statement said.

Also discussed was Hollande's visit to Washington next Tuesday to meet US President Barack Obama, and a trip to Moscow two days later to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Hollande had already announced on Monday an increase in strikes on Syria.
Source: AFP