France sending reconnaissance flights over Syria against ISIS

French President Francois Hollande delivers his speech during a press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Monday Sept.7, 2015. French president says the country will welcome 24,000 refugees (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (The Associated Press)

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French President Francois Hollande gestures during his press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Monday Sept.7, 2015. France will send reconnaissance flights over Syria beginning Tuesday to help plan airstrikes in the fight against the Islamic State group, the president said. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (The Associated Press)

Cabinet members listen to French President Francois Hollande, right, during his press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Monday Sept.7, 2015. France will send reconnaissance flights over Syria beginning Tuesday to help plan airstrikes in the fight against the Islamic State group, the president said. (Philippe Wojazer, Pool via AP) (The Associated Press)

France will send reconnaissance flights over Syria beginning Tuesday to help plan airstrikes in the fight against the Islamic State group (ISIS), the president said, saying it was a responsibility to fight against the "terrorism and war" that have left Europe vulnerable to attack.

President Francois Hollande, however, ruled out ground operations in Iraq and Syria in the wide-ranging news conference on Monday.

Hollande said coping with the flow of refugees also requires addressing the problem of terrorism and the reconnaissance flights will help inform airstrikes against ISIS.

"We have proof that attacks against several countries, notably ours, are being planned," he said. "Today in Syria what we hope to learn, is what is being planned against us and what is happening to the Syrian population."

The United States is carrying out airstrikes in Syria and Iraq, but France had limited its planes to Iraqi airspace until now.

https://www.foxnews.com/world/france-sending-reconnaissance-flights-over-syria-against-isis