France launches anti-IS strikes from Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrierSeptember 30, 2016 - 11:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - French fighter jets took off from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle on Friday, September 30 for an operation against the Islamic State group in its Iraqi stronghold of Mosul, an officer said, according to the Middle East Eye. Eight jets took off from the carrier in the eastern Mediterranean on Friday morning, an AFP photographer on the flight deck reported. The Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier is on its third mission since February 2015 in support of the U.S.-led coalition fighting IS in Iraq and Syria. France's RTL radio station said the mission would see 24 aircraft carry out an average of one strike every three minutes. The deployment came hours after the U.S.-led coalition of which France is part announced the death of an IS leader in one of its strikes in Mosul. A coalition spokesperson said on Friday morning that air strikes had killed 18 IS leaders during the past three days, 13 of them in Mosul. One of these was reportedly a fighter known as Abu Janat, the man thought to be behind the group’s chemical weapons strategy, MEE says. However, the spokesperson said that between 3,000 and 4,500 IS fighters remain on the ground in Mosul. IS seized Mosul along with other areas in June 2014, but Iraqi forces have since regained significant ground from the militants. Iraqi forces have for months been readying for an assault to retake Iraq's second-largest city, with coalition air support and backing from some of the 4,565 U.S. troops fighting on the ground. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |