French Army Chief of Staff General Fabien Mandon lamented on Tuesday that the United States is becoming “less and less visible” and did not inform their allies of their decision to enter into conflict with Iran. “The relationship remains very strong, but unfortunately, after a disengagement from Afghanistan in which there was no consultation, they have just decided to intervene in the Middle East without informing us,” said the high-ranking officer at the opening of the Paris Defense and Security Strategy Forum (PDSF).
“He does not bother to inform us”
“We acted immediately, surprised by an American ally who remains an ally, but who is becoming less and less visible and who does not bother to inform us when he decides to engage in military operations,” he regretted, as “it has an impact on our security, it has an impact on our interests.”
The conflict opened on February 28 by Israeli and American strikes against Iran has escalated in the region with retaliatory strikes from Tehran using drones and missiles.
France’s interests in the region have been engaged, added Minister Delegate for the Armed Forces Alice Rufo. “Due to the consequences of the situation, we have had losses to mourn and injuries to report,” she recalled, referring to French soldiers deployed in Iranian Kurdistan who were victims of a drone strike.
“In terms of protecting our citizens, protecting our forces and our partners in the region, coordination is necessary, that’s how it works in an alliance like NATO,” she added.
