Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — France has begun conducting air operations over Iraq.

Officials said the French Air Force carried out its first reconnaissance operations over northern Iraq. They said the missions began on Sept. 15 in support of the U.S.-led war against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

“This very morning, the first reconnaissance flights will be carried out in agreement with the Iraqi and Emirati authorities,” French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said.

The French operations stemmed from the United Arab Emirates. France maintains a naval and air force presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council state.

Hours before French Air Force Mirage and Rafale fighter-jets took off, Le Drian toured the UAE’s Dhafra air base. The defense minister urged French troops in the UAE to remain on alert.

Britain has already been operating reconnaissance flights over suspected ISIL positions in northern Iraq. Britain was conducting its flights in Iraq from its base in Cyprus.

Officials said neither Britain nor France planned on conducting air strikes on ISIL. They said the two NATO members would coordinate operations with the United States.

  Dhafra air base, France begins air recon missions in allied war against ISIL, ISIL, Jean-Yves Le Drian