Isis: France Launches First Air Strikes Against Terror Group in Iraq

France has carried out its first airstrike in Iraqi territory against Isis (now known as the Islamic State), French President Francois Hollande has announced.

The strike came after France agreed to join a US-led coalition against the terror group formed after the US launched its airstrike campaign on 8 August.

Hollande said that Rafale fighter jets struck an Islamic State logistics depot in northeastern Iraq and "the objective was hit and completely destroyed".

The statement did not elaborate on the material being held at the depot nor its location in northeastern Iraq.

"Other operations will follow in the coming days," a statement released by the French leader's office said.

Hollande, who confirmed this week that France would begin airstrikes at the Iraqi government's request, said: "As soon as we have identified targets, we will act ... within a short time frame."

US President Barack Obama praised France's decision to join the coalition and spoke of the benefits of continued cooperation with its long-held European ally.

"Today the United States continues to build a broad international coalition to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group known as Isil. As part of the air campaign France will join in strikes against Isil in Iraq," he said.

"As one of our oldest and closest allies, France is a strong partner in our efforts against terrorism and we are pleased that French and American service members will once again work together on behalf of our shared security and our shared values."

France has also been carrying out reconnaissance flights over Iraq this week and has started arming the Kurdish Peshmerga forces fighting against the group in northern Iraq.