France, Russia strike ISIS

France and Russia staged airstrikes on Islamic State targets in northern Syria on Tuesday, punishing the group for attacks in Paris and against a Russian airliner that together killed 353 people.

Islamic State has claimed the responsibility for a coordinatedonslaught in Paris on Friday and the downing of a Russian charter jet over Sinai on October 31, saying they were in retaliation for French and Russian air raids in Iraq and Syria.

Still reeling from the Paris carnage, France formally requested the European Union’s assistance in its fight against the militants, while British Prime Minister David Cameron edged closer to extending military action against the ISIS in Syria.

Meanwhile, the Germany police arrested five suspects, including two women, in connection with the attacks.