France is preparing to punish ex-generals and acting offers who signed a letter warning of a civil war with Islamists, reports EUobserver.
"These are unacceptable actions ... There will be consequences, naturally," the French defence minister, Florence Parly, said on France Info radio on Monday (26 April).
"The military are not there to campaign, but to defend France and protect the French," she added.
"For those who have violated the duty of reserve, sanctions are planned, and if there are active soldiers among the signatories, I asked the chief of staff of the armed forces to apply the rules," Parly said.
According to French law, retired officers could lose their ranks and pensions if they violated their duties.
Acting ones could face court martial and between two to five years in prison.
The letter was signed by 24 retired generals, as well as 80 colonels or captains, 125 lieutenant-colonels or lower-ranked officers, and about 1,000 others.