U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter told French Minster of Defense Jean-Yves le Drian in a telephone call on Saturday that the U.S. stands with France in the wake of a string of deadly terrorist attacks in Paris and that the U.S. military would take “additional steps” to respond to the brutal attacks.
“The U.S. and France maintain a close relationship in countering terrorism around the world including direct action in North Africa, Syria, and Iraq,” Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a readout of the phone call.
He added that Mr. Carter “reiterated the United States commitment to stand by our oldest ally in taking additional steps to respond to these barbaric attacks.”
It was not made clear what “additional steps” might be taken.
The two defense leaders agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days, Mr. Cook said.
Mr. Carter conveyed his condolences for those killed in the Friday night attacks and reiterated that the U.S. military stands with France and are “committed to helping France in any way that we can,” Mr. Cook said.
At least 127 people were killed and hundreds injured in a series of shootings and bombing attacks in and around Paris Friday night.
French President Francoise Hollande has blamed the attacks on the Islamic State and called them an “act of war.”
Of the eight attackers that were killed, seven were killed in suicide bombings.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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