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.


Israel carries out rare airborne raid in Lebanon; 16 killed in strikes
US skips congressional review to approve arms sale to Israel
Flash floods in Nairobi kill 23, disrupt flights at major airport
Russia hits Ukraine with drones, missiles, kills at least 10 in Kharkiv
Partial resumption of air navigation in Qatar
