The French army on Friday clarified that the IS terror group was not responsible for bringing down two of its helicopters in Mali this week.
It contradicts an earlier statement from the terror group.
"There has been no gunfire from (the terrorists) on our helicopters," French army chief of staff François Lecointre told French radio station RFI.
The army explained that the helicopters crashed after colliding accidentally during a combat operation.
Lecointre added that France had no intention of withdrawing from Mali but pressed for their allies to do more.


US, Ukraine discuss post-war reconstruction as Russia pummels grid
Israeli fire kills three people in Gaza as truce deal staggers
Cuban forces kill 4 exiles who attacked from Florida speedboat
Hong Kong court overturns China critic Lai's fraud conviction in rare legal victory
Hillary Clinton to testify in congressional Epstein probe
