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.


WHO chief urges safe burials in visit to heart of Ebola outbreak
Rescuers pull four from flooded cave in Laos
Brazil investigates suspected Ebola case in Sao Paulo
Zambia steps up Ebola screening as neighbouring Congo sees cases rise
