US, France agree on 'concrete steps' against IS: Pentagon
The recent statement has provided no details on the measures to be taken
In this October 27, 20115 file photo, US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing about the Middle East on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The defense ministers of France and the United States agreed Novemer 15, 2015 on "concrete steps" to intensify cooperation against the Islamic State group, the Pentagon said. US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves le Drian discussed the actions they are taking in response to Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris that killed at least 129 people. PHOTO: AFP
WASHINGTON:
The defense ministers of France and the United States agreed on Sunday on "concrete steps" to intensify cooperation against the Islamic State group, the Pentagon said.
US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves le Drian discussed the actions they are taking in response to Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris that killed at least 129 people.
"They agreed on concrete steps the US and French militaries should take to further intensify our close cooperation in prosecuting a sustained campaign against ISIL," Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said.
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"Secretary Carter reiterated the firm commitment of the United States to support France and move together to ensure ISIL is dealt a lasting defeat," he said.
The statement provided no details on the measures to be taken. But US officials said it would build on coordination already being handled by a French two star general at the US Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East.
France already takes part in a US-led campaign of air strikes against Islamic State strongholds in Syria and Iraq.
US air strike targets 'Jihadi John' in Syria: Pentagon
The US deputy national security adviser, Ben Rhodes, said the United States and France also will be intensifying intelligence sharing following the attacks in the French capital by gunmen in suicide vests.
The defense ministers of France and the United States agreed on Sunday on "concrete steps" to intensify cooperation against the Islamic State group, the Pentagon said.
US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves le Drian discussed the actions they are taking in response to Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris that killed at least 129 people.
"They agreed on concrete steps the US and French militaries should take to further intensify our close cooperation in prosecuting a sustained campaign against ISIL," Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said.
Islamic State video threatens France day after Paris bloodshed
"Secretary Carter reiterated the firm commitment of the United States to support France and move together to ensure ISIL is dealt a lasting defeat," he said.
The statement provided no details on the measures to be taken. But US officials said it would build on coordination already being handled by a French two star general at the US Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East.
France already takes part in a US-led campaign of air strikes against Islamic State strongholds in Syria and Iraq.
US air strike targets 'Jihadi John' in Syria: Pentagon
The US deputy national security adviser, Ben Rhodes, said the United States and France also will be intensifying intelligence sharing following the attacks in the French capital by gunmen in suicide vests.