France: First Country to Join U.S. in Battle Against Islamic State

French President Francois Hollande recently held an emergency security meeting at the Elysee Palace on September 25th in response to the brutal beheading of a French national. Despite prior comments from French officials that France would not go beyond air strikes in Iraq, they are now considering such measures in order to subdue the expanding violent influence of the Islamic State group.

France became the first ally of the U.S. in the battle to eradicate ISIS, the Islamic State group on September 19. Since then, the French have initiated a number of attacks on confirmed ISIS targets in Iraq from the air. The participation of France has ignited even more fury among the militants.

In response to France’s cooperation with the U.S. a terrorist group located in Algeria claiming links to ISIS kidnapped a French mountain climber. The group gave France 24 hours to withdraw from Iraq, or the man would be killed.

On September 24, 2014 Herve Gourdel was beheaded in a video targeted at the French government. The 55-year-old mountain guide and enthusiast was kidnapped that previous Sunday night, along with four Algerian mountain guides. The four Algerian victims were later released. The group warned France that similar incidents would continue if France remains an obstacle to the Islamic State. In response to the militant group, calling themselves Jund al-Khilafah, the French President had this to say at the 69th United Nations General Assembly in New York, «My determination is total and this attack only reinforces it. We will continue fighting terrorism everywhere.»

Gourdel’s abductors claim allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State: Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, claiming to do what is necessary to fight his enemies. This group is believed to be former members of the North African branch of Al Qaeda, a well-known rival of the Islamic State. They are based in the Djura Djura Mountains of the Kabylie region in Algeria, where Gourdel was taken captive. The area is well-known amongst locals and law enforcement to be dangerous due to the presence of Al Qaeda. Whereas the terrorist organization Al Qaeda is known for kidnapping and brutal treatment of foreigners, they rarely kill their victims. This is a new threat, and the violence is expected to spread.

France entered the fight against the Islamic State, more as a symbolic message. Retired French General Vincent Desportes states, «Three or four [French] airstrikes doesn’t change much. But it changes things in that it shows the Americans [they] are no longer alone.» The French government hopes that their involvement will encourage the aid of other countries such as Germany and Canada who are currently undecided about entering another war on terrorism.

Francois Hollande called an urgent security meeting following the decapitation of French native Herve Gourdel in order to discuss what needs to be done next. The meeting culminated in the resolution to increase security throughout France, mainly in the county’s capital, Paris. Security has been reinforced the most on the Metro, popular tourist destinations, and any heavily-populated public place. The French government also announced that support to defeat ISIS will be increased, but was unable to elaborate with any further details. However, officials did confirm that air strikes in Syria are being taken under new consideration, as they were adamant not long before that French air strikes would not extend beyond Iraq.

«Our compatriot Herve Gourdel was murdered cowardly, cruelly and shamefully,» exclaimed Hollande at the U. N. General Assembly in New York. He continued by stating, «The perpetrators of this odious crime must be punished.» The French are equally appalled, scared, and outraged over the death of Gourdel. Homage to his life is being honored throughout France in various public places.

Due to recent acts of violence from the Islamic State group, France has officially allied with the U.S. to fight the terrorist threat. Hesitant to engage in any actions beyond air strikes aimed at targets in Iraq, the French government has begun reconsideration after the violent abduction and beheading of a French tourist in Algeria by a militant group claiming allegiance to the Islamic State. Despite threats of more violence towards France, Francois Hollande is standing firm in his decision to stop this cancerous group from spreading.

Jacqueline Perrier-Gillette is currently a resident of Paris, France, where she lives with her husband. Together the two of them operate their small translation company, giving Jacqueline the opportunity to observe the French and their culture up close. She is an avid reader, writer, and student of foreign languages.

By Jacqueline Perrier-Gillette