US strengthens cooperation with France in fight against IS

(Baonghean.vn) - On November 15, US Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said the US will discuss with France about increasing airstrikes against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq, after a series of coordinated attacks in Paris that killed at least 120 people on November 13.

US Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes. Photo: Reuters

IS has claimed responsibility for the attack, which is set to top the agenda at the G20 summit in Türkiye. IS has been the target of thousands of US-led airstrikes, while France began airstrikes in Syria in September.

"We need to step up our efforts even more... One of the issues we are discussing at the G20 is how to get more support from some of our alliance partners, to strengthen our hand," Rhodes said in an interview on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Turkey.

"We will always stand shoulder to shoulder with France in this fight... France is conducting military operations in Iraq and Syria. Therefore, France will always need support for those efforts," Mr. Rhodes said. "In the coming work with the French leadership, we believe that we will be able to increase air strikes against IS in both Syria and Iraq to deny terrorists safe haven."

Phuong Thao

(According to Reuters)