French planes bomb Islamic State targets in Syria

On December 31, 2024, France conducted airstrikes on Islamic State positions in Syria, marking its first military engagement against IS since the downfall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. This operation, as announced by French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, involved targeted strikes executed by French Rafale fighter jets and US-made Reaper drones, which collectively dropped seven bombs on two IS military targets located in central Syria. France has actively participated in the international coalition against the Islamic State since 2014 for Iraq and 2015 for Syria, demonstrating its commitment to combating terrorism in the region. The deployment of French troops, which includes personnel stationed in the United Arab Emirates, has been crucial in the overarching strategy to diminish IS’s capacity to regroup and pose a renewed threat. The backdrop to these operations is complex; the fall of Assad has altered the landscape of power in Syria, raising concerns among global observers that the power vacuum could enable IS to recover its strength following the loss of its declared caliphate, which lasted from 2014 to 2019. This strategic situation is exacerbated by the U.S.’s recent decision to increase its troop presence in Syria to ensure that IS does not exploit the ongoing instability. The global challenge posed by IS remains significant despite the group’s territorial losses. The ongoing conflict, marked by shifting alliances and persistent violence, necessitates continued intelligence-sharing and operational collaboration among coalition members to effectively counter the threat posed by IS in both Iraq and Syria. Thus, France's military action signals its intention to remain engaged in resolving the crisis and underscores the ongoing dangers associated with IS’s potential resurgence.