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The Latest: France confirms it has special forces in Syria

Iraqi firefighters help survivors at the site of a deadly suicide car bomb attack in the neighborhood of New Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, June 9, 2016. Two separate suicide attacks in and outside the Iraqi capital have killed at least 27 people and wounded dozens. Officials say the deadliest bombing took place in New Baghdad, a commercial area of a majority Shiite neighborhood, killing over a dozen civilians. Another suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into an Iraqi army checkpoint north of Baghdad, killing at least 12 people. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Iraqi firefighters help survivors at the site of a deadly suicide car bomb attack in the neighborhood of New Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, June 9, 2016. Two separate suicide attacks in and outside the Iraqi capital have killed at least 27 people and wounded dozens. Officials say the deadliest bombing took place in New Baghdad, a commercial area of a majority Shiite neighborhood, killing over a dozen civilians. Another suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into an Iraqi army checkpoint north of Baghdad, killing at least 12 people. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

By Associated Press 4 min read

BAGHDAD (AP) – The Latest on the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq, Libya and Syria (all times local):

12:50 p.m.

A French official has confirmed that French special forces are offering training and advice to fighters in northern Syria.

The official with the French Defense Ministry said Thursday the forces are with the Syria Democratic Forces, a U.S.-backed Kurdish-led coalition that is fighting the Islamic State group in northern Syria.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record. He did not provide other details.