French jets destroy IS targets in Syria

French fighter jets destroyed a command centre and a training centre of the Islamic State terrorist group in fresh air strikes on Monday night in the IS stronghold of Raqqa in northern Syria, the country's defence ministry said on Tuesday.

'The French armed forces conducted second air raid against Daesh (IS) in Raqqa in 24 hours,' the ministry said in a statement.

French President Francois Hollande has vowed to hit back at IS 'without mercy' after Friday's attacks in Paris that killed over 150 people.

The French defence ministry said the strikes were conducted by 10 Rafale and Mirage 2000 jets post midnight, which dropped 16 bombs.

'Both targets were destroyed simultaneously,' it said.

'The strikes, conducted in coordination with the United States forces, were aimed at sites identified during reconnaissance missions previously carried out by France,' the statement said.

France has been carrying out air strikes targeting the IS in Syria since September, but it stepped up its raids after Friday's attacks.

The US and France have also decided to increase their exchange of intelligence on potential targets.

France is also set to deploy aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which will triple its capacity to strike the terrorists in Syria.

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