France steps up its role in the fight against terrorism

(Baonghean.vn) - To mark France's participation in the international coalition against the Islamic State, French President Francois Hollande has decided to visit Iraq on Friday, September 12. Accompanying him are Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

French President visits Iraq, Friday, September 12.

In an interview with Iraqi President Fouad Massoum, the French President said his presence in Baghdad was to "affirm France's support and solidarity" with the new Iraqi government, which he said was "built on a democratic spirit and represents all Iraqi communities". The French President's plane also carried 15 tonnes of humanitarian aid, which was delivered to Erbil in northern Iraq. After meeting with Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, Mr. Hollande also went to Erbil himself.

It is also an opportunity for France to align with Iraq strategically in the fight against the Islamic State. Since August, France has provided weapons to Kurdish forces and humanitarian aid to the population. France has also declared its readiness to deploy its bombers in US-led operations.

Eleven years after France refused to follow Washington and London into the Iraq war, it seems that it is eager to return to the front lines of the battle. It is clear that France wants a clearer role in a country with which it has had a strong but tumultuous history, especially since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein by a US-UK coalition in 2003.

However, France has so far avoided intervening in Syria. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama announced on Wednesday that the US was ready to carry out airstrikes against jihadists in Syria. After the French president's visit, the Iraqi president will travel to Paris on Monday for a conference on "peace and security" in Iraq.

Ganoderma

(According to Le monde on September 12)