French aircraft have flown 32 missions over the past week — with Rafale jets destroying four targets and backing up Iraqi ground forces, according to the military.
The operations are aimed at sending a clear message to terrorists carrying out attacks in mainland France in the name of IS, such as the murder of 130 people in Paris in November last year.
A military source in the French capital said: “France will not stop until this organisation is defeated. It has targeted France and will pay the price.”
There are thought to be up to 5,000 IS operatives in Mosul.
They have dug tunnels and filled moats with oil to try to keep back attackers — but the bombing has been intense.
US Colonel John Dorrian said: “They have built a hell on earth around themselves.”
