French President François Hollande on Monday told French troops training Iraqi special forces that fighting Islamic State in the Middle East helps fight terror at home.
“Taking action against terrorism here in Iraq is also preventing acts of terrorism on our own soil,” Hollande said at a Counter-Terrorism Service base near Baghdad, AFP reported.
Hollande traveled to Baghdad with Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian for a one-day visit to meet French forces and hold talks with officials. He will also visit the autonomous northern region of Kurdistan.
France joined the U.S.-led coalition against ISIL in Iraq and Syria in September 2014 and has provided military equipment, training and guidance to Iraqi forces.