French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian confirmed that the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle would be ready to start operations against ISIL on Monday, November 23.

The ship was sent to Syrian waters last week as part of a regular French Navy Arromanches 2 mission which is in its eighth iteration.

The carrier already performed preparational exercises with the British destroyer HMS Diamond.

Defence Minister Le Drian confirmed the aircraft carrier will enhance the country’s intensified bombing of the city of Raqqa, ISIS’ capital city in Syria.

Image: French Navy