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Two Dassault-built <AVMD.PA> Rafale fighters, both armed with
four missiles, targeted trenches used by Islamic State to
besiege the city at around 0330 GMT/ 2030 ET, the ministry said
in a statement.
"This action was carried out simultaneously with our allies to
create a breach in the defensive positions held by the
terrorists on the frontline between Iraqi forces and Islamic
State," the ministry said.
French government spokesman Stephane Le Foll earlier on
Wednesday told BFM TV that France would soon increase its
deployment in the region to tackle Islamic State.
Officials have told Reuters that Paris is set to send Mirage
fighter jets to Jordan to increase the number of missions
against Islamic State.
France currently has nine fighter jets, a maritime patrol
aircraft, an AWACS reconnaissance aircraft and a refueling plane
at its base in the United Arab Emirates as part of its "Chammal"
Iraq mission, as well as a warship in the Gulf.
(Reporting by John Irish; Editing by James Regan)
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