France Prioritises Counter-ISIS Fight as Absolute Syria Commitment

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?

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.