Libya: France Acknowledges Reconnaissance Flights Over Islamic State Territory

French military aircraft flew two reconnaissance missions near the Libyan towns of Sirte and Tobruk on Nov. 20 and Nov. 21 to gather intelligence on the country, including about territory held by the Islamic State, according to a document released by the office of French President Francois Hollande on Dec. 5, France 24 reported. Islamic State controls Sirte and this is the first time Paris has acknowledged operations over Islamic State-held areas of Libya. Hollande’s office said that such missions would continue. The document was released ahead of the president’s visit to the French aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle posted off the coast of Syria. French aircraft are actively involved in airstrikes on Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.