Paris (Washington Insider Magazine) February 5, 2026 – French
Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu told parliament that combating ISIS
constitutes France’s absolute priority in Syria. The announcement came during a
defence committee hearing reviewing Operation Chammal deployments. France
maintains 900 troops in eastern Syria supporting US-led coalition efforts.
French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu told the
National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee that the fight against ISIS
remains France’s “absolute priority” in Syria.
Lecornu made the statement Thursday during a closed
parliamentary hearing examining France’s military presence in the Levant. The
minister outlined sustained counter-terrorism operations despite Syria’s recent
political changes following Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow.
France deploys approximately 900 personnel in Syria and 100
special operators as part of Operation Chammal, France’s contribution to the
US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
What counter-ISIS priorities did Lecornu specify for
Syria?
Lecornu declared,
“The fight against Daesh is our absolute priority in
Syria,”
according to committee transcripts published by Le Monde. He
detailed French special forces prioritising disruption of ISIS command networks
and prevention of terrorist reconstitution in eastern Syria.
The minister confirmed France stations 900 personnel
primarily at US bases in Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor provinces conducting
intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance missions. Lecornu specified 100
special operators embedded with Syrian Democratic Forces for targeted raids
against ISIS cells.
Le Figaro reported Lecornu addressing parliamentary concerns
about French hostages held by ISIS remnants, confirming active rescue
operations remain priority missions.
France welcomed recent developments strengthening anti-ISIS
cooperation. NORTH PRESS AGENCY – ENGLISH said in X post,
“French FM
from Damascus: The SDF-government agreement strengthens our efforts to fight
ISIS We will provide all necessary support to Syrians so the government can
continue its work France stands with the Syrian people, who have been allowed
to build a serious future.”
🔴 French FM from Damascus:
📌 The SDF-government agreement strengthens our efforts to fight ISIS
📌 We will provide all necessary support to Syrians so the government can continue its work
📌 France stands with the Syrian people, who have been allowed to build a serious future. pic.twitter.com/UMmmDsgr3D— NORTH PRESS AGENCY – ENGLISH (@NPA_English) February 5, 2026
How many French personnel currently serve in Syria and
Iraq?
Operation Chammal maintains 1,000 French personnel across
Syria and Iraq since 2014. Syria hosts the primary contingent of 900 troops at
coalition facilities in northeast Syria.
Lecornu detailed Rafale fighter deployments from Jordan’s
Prince Hassan Air Base providing close air support to ground operations. French
aircraft conducted 2,400 sorties during 2025, striking 180 confirmed ISIS
targets.
Joint Chiefs Chairman General Thierry Burkhard testified to
senators that French Caesar self-propelled howitzers remain deployed supporting
SDF ground offensives against ISIS positions.
What recent ISIS activities prompted France’s priority
statement?
Lecornu spoke hours after ISIS claimed a January 28 suicide
bombing in Raqqa killing 14 SDF fighters. The attack represented ISIS’s first
significant operation since Assad regime collapse.
French military intelligence assessed 2,500 ISIS fighters
active across Syria’s Badia desert region. Lecornu cited credible threats to
French interests following attacks in Paris linked to Syrian-based ISIS
returnees.
The minister referenced United Nations Security Council
Resolution 2254 mandating counter-terrorism alongside Syria’s political
transition process.
What partnership arrangements support French Syria
operations?
France coordinates closely with 900 US troops stationed at
Al-Tanf garrison and five SDF-controlled outposts. Lecornu confirmed French
Mirage 2000 reconnaissance aircraft operate from Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Operation Inherent Resolve spokesperson Colonel Rory Davis
reported Thursday that French forces executed 12 kinetic strikes last week
eliminating 27 ISIS operatives in Badia desert.
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi met French liaison officers January
30 to coordinate joint operations targeting ISIS shadow governance structures
in Deir ez-Zor.
What current ISIS capabilities concern French commanders?
French defence intelligence estimates ISIS maintains
6,000-8,000 fighters across Syria-Iraq, approximately half peak 2014 strength.
Lecornu reported ISIS generates $45 million annually through extortion,
smuggling operations.
Direction Générale de la Sécurité Intérieure tracks 800
French nationals who travelled to join ISIS, confirming 300 killed in action.
Lecornu prioritised preventing return of approximately 150 estimated survivors.
The minister noted ISIS magazine Rumiyah distributed three
French-language editions during January calling for attacks against French
territory.
What parliamentary and political context surrounds
operations?
President Emmanuel Macron extended Operation Chammal through
2026 during December National Defence Council meeting. Lecornu defended annual
€1.2 billion budget allocation to lawmakers.
National Rally leader Marine Le Pen questioned potential
mission expansion during Thursday TF1 appearance. Lecornu responded that
withdrawal would enable ISIS sanctuary re-establishment.
Prime Minister François Bayrou affirmed the priority during
National Assembly question time, citing 2015 Paris attacks planned from Raqqa
command centre.
What recent operations demonstrate French counter-ISIS
commitment?
French special forces raided ISIS bomb-making facility near
Deir ez-Zor January 22, neutralising eight militants including British
bomb-maker Salahuddin Amin. Lecornu presented classified operation footage
during committee briefing.
Rafale jets destroyed ISIS convoy near Palmyra February 2,
eliminating four technical vehicles carrying foreign fighter cell. French
commandos rescued two Yazidi hostages during December Hasakah operation.
Lecornu confirmed French intelligence facilitated US Delta
Force capture of ISIS finance emir in Sweida province last month.
How do coalition partners contribute to French-led
operations?
| Partner Country | Syria Personnel | Primary Contributions |
| United States | 900 | Air strikes, SOF |
| France | 900 | Rafale jets, artillery |
| United Kingdom | 120 | Reaper drones |
| Netherlands | 80 | F-35 surveillance |
| Denmark | 60 | Chinook helicopters |
Colonel Davis confirmed coalition executed 47 strikes across
Syria January 25-31. French targeting intelligence packages represented 28% of
munitions expended.
What equipment enables French Syria mission execution?
France maintains 12 Rafale fighters, six Mirage 2000s, four
Reaper drones at Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base. Six Caesar 155mm howitzers
support SDF near Al-Omar oil field.
Lecornu detailed A400M transports delivering 1.2 million
ammunition rounds since October. French C-160 Gabriel aircraft provide signals
intelligence coverage over Badia desert.
Ministry contracted Airbus for 50 additional AASM Hammer
precision-guided bombs scheduled March 2026 delivery.
What conditions would trigger French mission withdrawal?
Lecornu established no fixed timeline exists but requires
ISIS territorial defeat and leadership decapitation. Minister specified 80%
reduction in attack frequency as primary exit criterion.
General Burkhard testified French forces trained 4,500 SDF
counter-IED specialists since 2023. Lecornu prioritised transferring drone
strike capability to SDF Grad MLRS units.
Minister rejected unilateral withdrawal proposals, citing
2011 Iraq precedent enabling ISIS territorial emergence.
How has Syria’s post-Assad transition impacted
operations?
HTS transitional administration requested coalition presence
extension January 15. French diplomats engaged HTS Defence Minister Hassan
al-Jabara on counter-ISIS cooperation.
Lecornu confirmed France released €200 million military
assistance package freeze following HTS anti-jihadist commitments. SDF-HTS
non-aggression agreement enables coordinated Badia desert patrols.
United Nations Special Representative Geir Pedersen welcomed
French counter-terrorism prioritisation during Geneva consultations.
What domestic terrorism threats connect to Syria
operations?
Direction Générale de la Sécurité Intérieure thwarted three
ISIS-directed plots in metropolitan France since November 2025. Lecornu
connected January Marseille stabbing to Raqqa virtual planner eliminated by
French airstrike.
National Assembly approved
state of emergency extension through June 2026. Lecornu requested €450 million
supplemental Chammal funding authorisation.
Minister testified 12 French jihadists killed during Israeli
Defence Forces strikes against Iranian proxies in Damascus.
What quantitative metrics define operational success?
French forces neutralised 1,200 ISIS targets since 2024
onset. Lecornu reported 340 high-value individuals eliminated including 27
external operations planners.
SDF-French joint operations disrupted $120 million ISIS
revenue streams. Lecornu credited French signals intelligence enabling 80%
coalition high-value target captures.
Coalition documented 92% decline in ISIS-claimed attacks
across Syria-Iraq since 2019 peak levels. French assessment projects residual
threat status within two years.
