French defence chief to ask Russia to step up anti-Daesh ops

Ahead of his visit to Moscow on Monday, the French defense minister told journalists Paris would ask Russia to increase its action against Daesh terrorist group, and would offer intelligence sharing and plans for a joint vision on combating terrorist groups in Syria.

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian heads for Moscow this Monday in pursuit of enhanced collaboration between France and Russia to combat Daesh on Syrian soil. His main goal is to ask Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu to increase strikes against the extremist organization, Russia Today reported on Monday.

"We will discuss what we consider to be terrorist groups, and how Russia might increase its action against Daesh, which is our sole enemy," Le Drian said.

Despite other Western countries being slow to join efforts with Russia in suppressing Daesh militants, Paris is showing signs of a far more pragmatic approach towards combating international terrorism.

Le Drian also told journalists he would offer the Russian military an intelligence-sharing framework to exchange information on Russian as well as French speakers in Daesh, which could be useful for both sides.

The minister stressed France is ready to act responsibly, as “intelligence sharing requires giving on both sides.”

French and Russian defense chiefs will also discuss measures to prevent dangerous incidents in Syrian airspace between the two countries’ warplanes during combat sorties.

Source: MENA