France continues Iraq jihadist air strikes after Algeria hiker’s murder
France has launched new air strikes in Iraq and promised more support for Syrian opposition forces fighting jihadist groups after the murder of French hiker Hervé Gourdel. It is also to increase security at home amid growing concerns over the threat of terrorism.
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French fighter jets carried out the second strikes in a week on the Islamic State (IS) armed group in Iraq on Thurdsay morning, government spokesperson Stéphane Le Foll confirmed after a war cabinet meeting.
The jets pounded a former Iraqi army barracks, military sources said, and destroyed four hangars they believed contained weapons and other military equipment.
US planes bombarded IS targets in Syria overnight.
President François Hollande summoned his ministers to meet after Gourdel’s death at the hands of Algerian jihadis linked to the IS.
Earlier, in a statement, the Elysée presidential palace announced the government would increase its support to Syrian opposition forces fighting jihadists on the ground, although no mention was made of possible airstrikes in Syria.
Meanwhile France is to beef up security in public places and on public transport at home after Gourdel's beheading.
Hollande has vowed not to let the crime go unpunished and called for national unity.
Flags nationwide were to be flown at half-mast for three days, starting Friday, to mourn the loss of the 55-year-old mountain guide.
A memorial ceremony was held at Saint-Martin-Vésubie, the mountain village in the south of France where he lived.
France has also warned its citizens in 40 countries to be on maximum alert.
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