France admits it had special forces operating in Syria

France’s Armed Forces Minister Sylvie Goulard revealed that her country has dozens of special forces soldiers operating in Syria while reiterating that there are no intentions to send more ground troops, the Egyptian Middle East News Agency reported yesterday.

Speaking to Europe 1 Radio, Goulard said that France currently has no large-scale presence on the ground in Syria.

France’s AFP said that Paris has been trying to keep secret the issue of its special forces’ existence in the war-torn Arab country.

Meanwhile, the US has deployed 900 military consultants and special forces soldiers in northern Syria.

Goulard said that the French presence in Syria is part of its participation in the US-led coalition against Daesh, noting that its participation is represented by fighters based in the region and a number of military consultants.

The new French foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, has stressed that the solution of the Syrian crisis should not be a military one.