French Mirage Fighters Strike Islamic State Oil Hub in Syria

Though US and Russian airstrikes on Syria most often make the headlines, the French Armed Forces are conducting missions in the country as well. This video shows two Mirage-2000 attack aircraft taking off from a French airbase in Jordan to target what the French military said was an Islamic State-controlled oil distribution center southwest of Deir Ezzor, Syria. The mission was part of Operation Chammal, a French strike force of 13 aircraft.

Operation Chammal began in September 2014, the French military said, with 900 military personnel, and coordinated with the US-led coalition and the Iraqi government.

Operation Chammal includes six Mirage 2000-type aircraft, in service for almost 35 years, as well as six more modern Rafale attack aircraft, one Breguet Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft, and, since September 2015, the French Navy frigate Cassard, armed with surface-to-air missiles.

France joined the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State last year and expanded its campaign to Syria in September, the Associated Press reported. French President Francois Hollande said last week the country’s aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, would be deployed to assist the fight from the Persian Gulf, AP reported. Credit: YouTube/ForcesFrancaises