PARIS
France's foreign minister stressed Thursday that its role in an international coalition to combat ISIL will see it continue airstrikes against the militant group, but it has no intention to send in ground troops.
"I'm crystal clear about it. It is necessary that Iraqis themselves are involved," Laurent Fabius stated via his twitter account.
Earlier in September, the United States started an anti-ISIL coalition of more than 50-nation including 10 Arab states, to tackle ISIL in Iraq and Syria.
For months, the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL) has been running riot in swathes of Syria and Iraq, declaring an Islamic caliphate and driving an estimated 1.2 million Iraqis from their homes. Its militants have particularly targeted Shia Muslims, Turkmen, Ezidis, and Christians.
On Wednesday, France's premier told parliament that his country's intervention in Iraq would be "long-term," saying it "would carry out further air strikes in the coming days until the Iraqi army regains superiority."
Fabius underlined Thursday that there are two "opponents" to fight in Syria, both" [Syrian leader] Bashar al-Assad and the group DAECH [the Arabic acronym of ISIL]."
Since 2011, Syrian rebel forces and Assad have been caught in a war that - according to the United Nations - has cost 200,000 lives. The West and its allies has given political backing to the rebel movements, but hardline Islamist groups - such as ISIL - have started to increasingly dominate the anti-Assad struggle.
Fabius said that striking ISIL while only the "Assad regime stands to benefit" is not enough.
"Strikes should be simultaneous with condemnation of the actions of Bashar al-Assad... We must help strengthen the moderate opposition."
Speaking Wednesday at the 69th annual debate of the United Nations General Assembly, French President Francois Hollande had urged United Nations member countries to react to the Syria crisis, pleading: "As long as there is no settlement of the Syria crisis, all our efforts are likely to be reduced."
"The regime of Bashar al-Assad is just as complicit as ISIL," he stressed.
On Thursday, Fabius referred to a video that appears to show the apparent decapitation of a French national kidnapped in Algeria at the hands of a group that claims to be linked to ISIL.
"For DAECH, life have no value," he wrote on his tweeter account, adding that a defense council is scheduled to meet this afternoon (Thursday) to discuss France's military operations in Iraq and the security of its compatriots.
The head of French diplomacy also said that his country is looking to strengthen coordination with Turkey "as many fighters pass through it to Syria."
On Tuesday, three French nationals suspected of fighting in Syria were deported by Turkish authorities to France, but walked free after arriving at an unexpected airport.
"This malfunction between Turkish and French services deserves a comprehensive consultation between the French and Turkish authorities so that such incidents do not occur again," Interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve said, adding that France would open an internal investigation to determine "the reason for the failure of the passport detection system."
The Turkish Foreign Ministry told the Anadolu Agency on Wednesday that Ankara had done everything it could to facilitate the return.
France issues travel warning after ISIL threat
France has issued a warning for its nationals in 40 countries - including Turkey - after a French man was seemingly beheaded by an ISIL-affiliated group following a plea by its spokesman for supporters to kill the nationals of countries taking part in a U.S.-led coalition against the militant outfit.
"In the context of international coalition intervention against Daesch [Islamic State], and in the face of an increased risk of kidnappings and hostile acts against citizens of countries part of the coalition, French nationals are asked to increase their vigilance," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
President Francois Hollande called the execution of kidnapped French national Herve Pierre Gourdel "barbaric" on Thursday, and announced an increase in police and army numbers around the country.
"Preventive measures against terrorist risks implemented in the country will be strengthened in public places and on transport," Hollande said after an emergency meeting with his defense council.
On Sunday, ISIL spokesman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani issued an online audio message that called on supporters to kill the nationals of Western countries taking part in the coalition.
"If you can kill a disbelieving American or European, especially the nasty and filthy French, or an Australian, or a Canadian... including the citizens of the countries that entered into a coalition against the Islamic State, then rely upon Allah and kill him," he said.
Government Spokesperson Stephane Le Foll told reporters in a press conference Thursday that "there have been [French] strikes this morning in Iraq" - the second understood to have taken place against ISIL targets since last Friday.
Among the countries mentioned in the warning was Turkey, which borders Syria, and has been used by some of those who sign up with militant groups, such as ISIL, as a gateway to Syria.
The announcement follows the broadcast of a video titled "Blood Message to France" on Wednesday, which claims to show the decapitation of Gourdel in Algeria by the Jund al-Khilafa group.
Gourdel, a mountaineering guide, was kidnapped over the weekend in Tizi-Ouzou, north central Algeria.
Last week, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve sent a memo to police stations instructing them "to raise the level of vigilance of the internal security forces on sensitive buildings" including "religious, diplomatic and consular” sites.
Le Foll said Thursday that France will be in national mourning following Gourdel's death; flags flown at half-staff for three days starting Friday.
www.aa.com.tr/en
