The Local France

French fighters appear with Islamic State in Afghanistan

Sun, 10 Dec 2017 10:28:54 +0100

French and Algerian fighters, some arriving from Syria, have joined the ranks of the Islamic State group in northern Afghanistan where the militants have established new bases, multiple international and Afghan sources have told AFP.

Taliban targets French restaurant in Kabul

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 17:44:37 +0100

A Taliban suicide car bomber hit a French restaurant popular with foreigners in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Friday, in a New Year's day attack that marks the latest in a series of brazen insurgent assaults.

Departing French troops hold Kabul farewell

Wed, 31 Dec 2014 18:27:54 +0100

The last French troops in Afghanistan held a ceremony in Kabul on Wednesday to mark the end of their deployment after NATO combat operations closed down and as a new "train and support" mission takes over.

French school hit by suicide attack in Kabul

Thu, 11 Dec 2014 17:46:00 +0100

France was left outraged on Thursday after a suicide bomber targeted a high school attached to the French cultural centre in Kabul on Thursday, saying it had left several people dead.

Freed French hostage 'no regrets' after toilet ordeal

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 11:01:00 +0200

Charles Ballard left a career in finance to do aid work in Afghanistan. Back home in France after being held hostage for 71 days in a toilet, he says he has no regrets.

French 'militants' deported from Pakistan

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:43:00 +0200

Pakistan has deported three Frenchmen who have been held in secret since they entered the country illegally 10 months ago to fight NATO troops in neighbouring Afghanistan, officials said on Thursday.

France to take in army's Afghan helpers

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 18:00:35 +0100

Paris will take in a "few dozen" Afghans who have worked alongside French troops in the war-ravaged country for 11 years and whose security is at risk at home, the defence ministry said on Wednesday.

Afghan soldier faces death for French troop murder

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:19:14 +0100

A military court has rejected an appeal by an Afghan soldier sentenced to death for killing five French troops in an insider attack in January, an official said Monday.

Afghan senate votes to defriend 'infidel' France

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 12:19:00 +0200

Afghanistan's senate voted to cut the word "friendship" from a pact with France because Islamic texts say it cannot be used to describe relations between Muslims and infidels, senators said Tuesday.

France hands Afghans control of key province

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:55:00 +0200

The French military officially handed over control of the key Afghan province of Kapisa to local forces on Wednesday.

French Afghan pullback to start 'within weeks'

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 17:07:00 +0200

French President Francois Hollande said on Thursday the withdrawal of the country's troops from Afghanistan would begin within weeks, as he paid tribute to four soldiers killed at the weekend.

Afghan soldier 'killed French troops over US abuse video'

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:48:00 +0100

An Afghan soldier who shot dead four French troops has said he did it because of a recent video showing US Marines urinating on the dead bodies of Taliban insurgents, security sources told AFP.

France mulls Afghan exit after troops 'murdered'

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:28:00 +0100

President Nicolas Sarkozy warned on Friday he may accelerate the French withdrawal from Afghanistan after an Afghan soldier shot dead four unarmed French troops during a sports session inside a base.

Four French troops killed by Afghan soldier: official

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:01:00 +0100

Four French soldiers were shot dead and 16 were wounded by a member of the Afghan army in eastern Afghanistan on Friday, a NATO spokesman and Afghan officials said.

Man in Afghan uniform kills French soldiers

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 09:18:00 +0100

A man dressed in Afghan army fatigues on Thursday shot dead two French soldiers in what appeared to be the latest attack by a member of the Afghan security forces on NATO troops.

French officer killed in Afghanistan

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:16:00 +0200

A French officer was shot dead on Wednesday by an insurgent fighter as he accompanied an Afghan army unit on an operation in eastern Afghanistan, French officials announced.

French soldier killed in Afghanistan

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:29:00 +0200

An insurgent shot dead a French soldier on Sunday in the northeastern Afghan region of Kapisa, the French presidency said in a statement.

French soldier killed in Afghanistan

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:03:00 +0200

A French soldier was killed and four were wounded Thursday in Afghanistan during a military operation in Kapisa province, north of Kabul, the French presidency said.

French minister backs soldier, voices sorrow at 3 Afghan dead

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:17:17 +0200

France's defence minister on Wednesday said a soldier acted in self-defence when he opened fire on a car at a roadblock in Afghanistan and voiced "deep sorrow" at the deaths of three civilians.

France honours 7 troops killed in Afghanistan

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:02:00 +0200

President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday attended a remembrance ceremony for seven French soldiers killed in Afghanistan last week, including five who died in the deadliest attack on French forces since 2008.