Image copyright AFP Image caption A Rafale fighter takes off from the Charles de Gaulle in the Mediterranean sea the day before the operation

France has begun air operations over Iraq from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, reports say.

A number of Rafale fighter planes took off from the carrier early on Friday, news agency AFP said.

The Charles de Gaulle, France's only aircraft carrier, was sent to the region earlier in September.

This is its third mission with the US-led coalition since France stepped up military operations after the January 2015 Paris attacks.

Iraqi forces have gained significant ground in the battle for Mosul, which was occupied by IS in June 2014, and are expected to launch an offensive to retake the city soon.

AFP quoted an officer on board, who said the planes would take part in an attack on Mosul, an IS stronghold in Iraq.

However, a French defence official told the Associated Press that Friday's mission was "in no way" the start of a battle for Mosul. He said the ministry would not provide details of the operation for the security reasons.

French radio station RTL reported (in French) that 24 aircraft will take part in today's operation, with a sortie every three minutes, on average.

It also said the fighters were armed with four 250kg laser-guided bombs each.

The Charles de Gaulle is a 38,000-tonne ship powered by two nuclear reactors. It has more than 1,900 crew, and is 260 metres (850ft) long.</s>A Marine Rafale fighter jet is catapulted from the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle on the Mediterranean Sea on Saturday as part of the Operation Arromanches III (AFP photo)

PARIS — French warplanes are flying over Iraq after the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier rejoined the US-led fight against Daesh extremists — and as the coalition prepares to try to take back the key city of Mosul.

France, which has suffered repeated attacks at home from Daesh-linked extremists, is ramping up its military presence in Iraq ahead of the offensive in Mosul, the largest city held by the extremists. The Iraqi government has been gearing up with support from the United States and other allies for the mission, which could mark a turning point in the fight against Daesh.

A French defence official said Friday's mission "in no way" constitutes the beginning of the battle for Mosul. The French official, speaking anonymously in line with defence policy, said preparations are still under way with the US and other partners to coordinate the Mosul offensive. She would not provide details of Friday's operation for the security of the pilots.

French planes have flown 32 missions over the past week, with Rafale jets destroying four targets with air strikes and backing up Iraqi ground forces, according to a French military statement.

The Charles de Gaulle returned to the zone last week after undergoing maintenance in France, and is now on its third mission in the region since the French military started targeting Daesh two years ago in Iraq.

France expanded its air strikes to Daesh targets in Syria last year. After an attack on Nice on Bastille Day in July killed 86, French President Francois Hollande ordered an artillery battery sent to Iraq to bolster the operation.

About 150 French forces with 4 Caesar artillery systems are now in the area around Qayara, 48 kilometres south of Mosul, according to the defence ministry. They are performing tactical missions for the coalition, and training Iraqi forces, according to military officials, but are not expected to engage in combat. French medical and logistics teams are also in place.
France conducts airstrikes against ISIL positions in Iraq from the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.