Damascus (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) – February 5, 2026 – French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that France's fight against the Islamic State (IS) group remains its absolute priority during a visit to Damascus. He made the remarks while meeting Syrian officials to discuss counter-terrorism cooperation. The statement underscores ongoing French efforts amid regional security challenges, including follow-up on integration deals in northeast Syria.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot arrived in Damascus on February 5, 2026, where he affirmed that combating the Islamic State group constitutes France's absolute priority. Speaking to reporters after meetings with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani at Tishreen Palace, Barrot emphasised France's commitment to eradicating IS remnants in Syria and beyond. This marked one of the highest-level French visits to Syria in years, focusing strictly on shared security concerns.
Kurdish affairs analyst Mutlu Civiroglu highlighted the French minister's key statement in an X post,
“Fight against IS group is France's ‘absolute priority”
Barrot's delegation included senior diplomats and intelligence officials, who held talks at the Syrian Foreign Ministry. The discussions centred on intelligence sharing, border security, joint operations against IS cells active in the Syrian desert and along the Iraq-Syria border, and ways to strengthen bilateral ties.
Details of Barrot's Damascus Discussions
The meeting partly revolved around following up on the northeast integration deal between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Syria's Foreign Minister al-Shaibani hosted Barrot at Tishreen Palace for these talks.
Prominent terrorism researcher Aaron Y. Zelin reported on the agenda in an X post,
“France’s FM Jean-Noël Barrot returns to Syria to meet with Syria’s FM Asaad al-Shaibani at Tishreen Palace. Part of it revolved around following-up on the NE integration deal between Damascus and the SDF, the fight against IS, and ways to strengthen their bilateral relationship.”
Syrian state media reported that the two sides agreed to enhance coordination to prevent IS resurgence. Barrot raised recent IS attacks in Syria's Deir ez-Zor province, where militants killed Syrian soldiers last month.
Background on Barrot's Regional Diplomacy
Jean-Noël Barrot, appointed France's Foreign Minister in 2024 under President Emmanuel Macron, has prioritised counter-terrorism. During a joint press conference, Barrot said, "The fight against Daesh [IS's Arabic acronym] is France's absolute priority, and we are here to strengthen our partnership with Syria on this front." Syrian Foreign Minister al-Shaibani noted Syria's appreciation for France's stance against terrorism. The ministers signed a memorandum on technical cooperation, though details remain confidential.
This engagement builds on prior French-Syrian contacts established in 2025, when Paris lifted some sanctions for humanitarian aid. European diplomats noted that Barrot's trip aligns with EU stabilisation efforts in Syria post-civil war, without political endorsement of Damascus.
IS Group's Persistent Threat Level
The Islamic State group maintains sleeper cells estimated at 2,500 to 3,000 fighters across Syria and Iraq, per United Nations reports. In 2025, IS claimed 150 attacks, killing over 600 people. French intelligence links several foiled European plots to Syrian IS hideouts.
Barrot highlighted IS exploitation of regional instability, including clashes between Syrian forces and Kurdish-led groups. France continues Operation Chammal, with airstrikes since 2014; French forces neutralised 15 IS operatives in Iraq in January 2026.
Syrian state news agency SANA reported Barrot's pledge of technical assistance for monitoring IS financial networks via smuggling and extortion. Iraq welcomed the talks as complementing its Damascus security pact renewed in December 2025.
France's Long-Standing Anti-IS Efforts
France led the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat IS since 2014. Paris endured 2015 IS attacks, including Bataclan, killing 130. France conducted over 1,000 Rafale strikes by 2020.
Operation Barkhane in the Sahel, ended 2022, targeted IS affiliates, costing 58 French lives. Barrot linked Sahel lessons to Syria. France spends €1.2 billion yearly on counter-IS as of 2025.
US and UK allies support Barrot's moves. US Syria envoy Jeffrey Martini monitored talks, stressing no human rights concessions.
Regional and International Responses
Russia approved cautiously via RIA Novosti. Turkey urged avoiding arming militias amid Idlib IS attacks. UAE called France's approach pragmatic; Jordan bolstered its anti-IS border zone.
European Parliament debated the trip February 4; no EU sanctions lifted.
Key Bilateral Agreements Signed
The memorandum includes drone surveillance and training for Syrian units; France committed €20 million in non-lethal gear by mid-2026. Barrot met President Bashar al-Assad on detainee access; France seeks repatriation of 200 nationals from 10,000 IS suspects in camps.
Barrot proceeded to Beirut on IS spillover prevention after a Lebanese IS cell dismantle in January.
Challenges Ahead for Counter-IS Operations
UN Resolution 2664 mandates IS threat reporting; a December 2025 report noted 500,000 online IS followers. French ANSSI stopped five cyber plots in 2025. Iraq hosted coalition ministers January 30; coalition strikes killed 40 IS fighters that week.
France's National Assembly hearing is set for February 10; polls show 72% public support for anti-IS engagement. Syrian media published handshake photos captioned "United against terrorism." No clashes occurred during the visit.