Watch CBS News

France joins ISIS fight

PARIS -- France said Friday it had conducted its first airstrike in Iraq, destroying a logistics depot held by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The office of President Francois Hollande's office said Rafale fighter jets struck the depot in northeastern Iraq on Friday morning and the target was "entirely destroyed."

President Obama vows to use airstrikes and intel to defeat ISIS 02:49

Qassim al-Moussawi, spokesman for the Iraqi military, said four French airstrikes hit the town of Zumar, killing dozens of extremist fighters. Zumar and surrounding towns have remained heavily contested by ISIS fighters, even though Iraqi and Kurdish security forces have managed to make headway in nearby regions with the support of U.S. airstrikes.

Hollande's office said other operations would continue in the coming days.

CBS News' Elaine Cobbe said the strikes on Friday followed Hollande's confirmation a day earlier that France would take an active part in the fight against ISIS, but only in Iraq. He ruled out any military action in Syria, and said he would not put French troops into Iraq.

Cobbe noted that France has not yet officially defined the full scope of its involvement in President Obama's coalition against ISIS. Hollande has said he will explain that role to the French parliament next week.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.