File Photo: Islamic state group's fighters holed up in the centre of the city of Tikrit during a military operation. (AFP Photo)
France has bombed Islamic State positions in the Tikrit area of Iraq for the first time since the start of the international offensive against the jihadist militia, French military officials said today.
"Last night we struck the region of Tikrit as part of the coalition" aiding the Iraqi army battle IS fighters, a spokesman for France's armed forces said, noting it was the first time a French strike had targeted that area of northern Iraq.
The official did not specify whether jets or drones staged the strikes, and declined to detail targets of the attack.
US forces earlier announced they had led an air strike against IS units in Tikrit with coalition allies at the request of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi.
Despite receiving military advice and aid from Iran's military, the Iraqi army has struggled to recapture Tikrit -- hometown of ex-dictator Saddam Hussein -- since its offensive began on March 2.
Thousands of Iraqi soldiers, police officers and paramilitary forces have been deployed to retake Tikrit, which is being ferociously defended by a large number of IS fighters who have booby-trapped streets and buildings in the city with bombs.