PARIS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- French President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday that retaking Rakka, an Islamic State (IS) stronghold in northern Syria, remains "a priority target".
Chairing a defense council at the Elysee Palace, Hollande reviewed situation in Syria where French troops joined United States-led military operation to combat Islamist fighters in the conflict-torn country.
Hollande discussed "the means to prepare for Rakka's reconquest as soon as possible".
France was one of the first European countries to join the U.S.-led coalition against IS. Its fighter jets bombed the group in Iraq in 2014.