France said it had launched its first air strikes against ISIL militants in Syria, expanding its bombing campaign from neighbouring Iraq against the group.<br /><br /> France had up until now abstained from intervening militarily in Syria since the civil war began there, feeling that to do so would work in President Assad’s favour.<br /><br /> French President Francois Hollande announced earlier this month that France would began reconnaissance flights over Syria to gather information on ISIL positions.<br /><br /> The president’s office said in a statement that the airstrikes hit targets identified over the last fortnight.
