Marc Aussedat

The Islamic State group remains active in Syria and Iraq despite major territorial losses, necessitating French air support for troops mainly in Iraq, the commander of a French aircraft carrier strike group said Friday.

The French Navy's Rear Admiral Marc Aussedat (left), commanding officer of Task Force 473, which has been designated to the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, visited Greece's Spetsai frigate on Tuesday as part of the vessel's participation in the Foch 2020 operation.