The French military says its jets have carried out their first operation against Islamic State from the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, since the ship's latest deployment.

The military declined to give any further details of the mission. France's Rafale jets are capable of carrying out both strikes and reconnaissance missions.

France's defence minister announced earlier in September that France would bolster its support for Iraqi forces in the autumn, with a view to retaking the city of Mosul from Islamic State.