French troops are on the ground in Mali to attempt to turn the tide against Islamic militants. They are being supported by the RAF Transport Command for logistical purposes. Meanwhile, over in Syria and with the French working behind the scenes, we are about to supply arms to a hodge-podge of an army taking part in a civil war and which is made up of groups of.... Islamic militants. You could not make it up.
France has stepped up its internal security because it is fearful of terrorist attacks because of its action in Mali.