A source at the French Defense Ministry said Thursday that France deployed its special forces on the ground in northern Syria to advise rebels and help them fight Daesh organization.

"The offensive at Manbij is clearly being backed by a certain number of states including France. It's the usual support - it's advisory," the source said.

France has 2,500 men in its special forces, of whom around 400 are deployed in 17 countries, mainly in the Sahel, the source added.

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had indicated last Friday, in remarks to a small state channel covering French politics, that French troops were helping operations at Manbij.

"We are providing support through weapons supplies, air presence and advice," he told the Public Senate channel. 

Until now, France admitted the presence of some 150 special forces in the region, all of them in Iraqi Kurdistan. 

Source : MENA