French Carrier Strike Group Joins Operations Against Islamic State - Central Command

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th March, 2019) The French Navy's aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle and its strike group have joined the operations of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (outlawed in Russia), the US Central Command said in a statement.

"On 13th March 2019, the French Carrier Strike Group, CTF473 arrived off-shore Syria to support Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve," the statement said on Thursday.

The carrier strike group consists of the Aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle, the Danish frigate Daniel Juel, and an attack submarine among other assets, according to the statement.

"The Charles-de-Gaulle launched Rafale Marine and Hawkeye aircraft to support coalition troops on the ground and gather intelligence while other air assets and vessels were conducting air and maritime control operations," the statement added.

The French air carrier group has already conducted three previous missions since January 2015 in support of the US-led coalition.

The US-led coalition of more than 70 members has been conducting military operations against the Islamic State terrorist group in Syria and Iraq since September 2014. The coalition's activities in Syria are authorized neither by the Syrian government, nor by the UN Security Council.