France launches first air strikes on IS in Iraq

Rafale fighter jets have been flying reconnaissance missions over Iraq from a base in the United Arab Emirates

French jets have carried out their first strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq, the office of President Francois Hollande says.

A statement said planes had attacked an IS logistics depot in north-east Iraq.

France was already carrying out reconnaissance flights over Iraq and providing weapons to Kurdish fighters.

President Hollande said on Thursday that French air strikes would only target the jihadist group's positions in Iraq, and not neighbouring Syria.

He also insisted that he would not send ground troops.

On Friday, Mr Hollande's office said Rafale planes had carried out the attack and "the objective was hit and completely destroyed".

The statement said other operations would continue in the coming days.

US fighter jets and drones have carried out more than 170 air strikes on IS in Iraq since mid-August.