France launches second air strike against IS stronghold in Syria: defense minister

France launched a second air strike overnight in Syria against an Islamic State (IS) training camp and further strikes will follow, Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Friday.

"France hit Daesh (or IS) in Syria last night in Raqqa," Le Drian told local broadcaster Europe 1, adding that "it is not the first time, nor will it be the last time," hinting there might be more air strikes in the future.

"French Rafale jets dropped bombs on this training camp and the targets were met," he said.

As with the first air strike on Sept. 27, the second one also targeted IS by attacking its stronghold in the war-torn country.

France had previously dismissed any military intervention in Syria on fears they would benefit Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

"We strike because we know that in Syria, particularly in the area of Raqqa, there are training camps for foreign fighters whose mission is not to go and fight for Daesh, but to come to France and Europe to carry out attacks," he said of his country's shift in attitude towards actions in Syria.

Le Drian also accused Russia of supporting Assad, whom Paris calls "the starting point of chaos," instead of striking the IS in Syria.

Allies in the U.S.-led coalition, including France, have called on Russia to immediately cease attacks on the Syrian opposition and to focus on fighting IS militants instead.

However, France, which has provided weapons and logistical support to the rebels in the past, has said that Assad has to step down before government troops and rebels could together defeat the IS.

Syria's conflict, which started with peaceful protests in 2011, has claimed at least 250,000 lives, according to UN estimates.

More than half of the country's pre-war population of 22.4 million has been displaced, causing a huge influx of migrants to Europe. Endi