PARIS (AP) — The latest developments regarding the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq: All times local:
12:40 p.m.
The Dutch government is weighing whether to broaden its involvement in the international campaign against the Islamic State group.
The Netherlands already has F-16 jets taking part in airstrikes against IS targets in Iraq, but Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert says France and the United States have asked if the Dutch can do more.
Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said Friday that the government “will look at whether we can make an effective contribution” but added “I don’t want to restrict the debate to only bombing over Syria.”
Koenders says Islamic State cannot be fought with bombs alone, “you also have to look at cutting off oil revenues, finances.”
Hennis-Plasschaert says the ruling two-party Dutch coalition will consider the question in “the coming days, weeks. I don’t know how much time we need.”
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11:35 a.m.
Germany’s Parliament has approved plans to provide military assistance in the fight against Islamic State militants, including reconnaissance jets and up to 1,200 support personnel.
Lawmakers voted Friday 445 to 146 to approve the plan crafted by Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Cabinet this week following a pledge of greater support in the wake of the deadly attacks in Paris, which IS has claimed responsibility for.
Germany plans to send up to six Tornado reconnaissance planes and tanker aircraft, as well as a frigate to help protect the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the eastern Mediterranean, but won’t actively engage in combat.
Two German Tornados and a tanker are expected to be sent to Turkey’s Incirlik air base next week but won’t be fully operational until next month. The frigate’s also to be in place soon.
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10:55 a.m.
French President Francois Hollande is visiting the aircraft carrier launching airstrikes against the Islamic State group.
The Charles de Gaulle has launched raids against Islamic State bases since the Nov. 13 attacks that killed 130 in Paris. The president’s office said Hollande would pay a visit to the ship on Friday.
The government announced it was deploying the ship, France’s only aircraft carrier, to the region a week before the attacks.
The French carrier had previously been deployed in the Persian Gulf from February to April this year, conducting between 15 and 20 flights per day, according to the French military.
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