French jets due in Jordan to join global fight against ISIL

French fighter jets are due to arrive in Jordan soon to join operations against the Islamic State group in Iraq, Prime Minister Manuel Valls said.

"The show of strength is continuing with the arrival of Mirage planes in the coming days," Valls said during a visit to the Niger capital Niamey, adding that men and equipment were already in place in Jordan.

Earlier, he had said the jets were already in Jordan.

France already has nine Rafale fighter jets in the United Arab Emirates and Valls said the aim was to have a total of six Mirages in Jordan by the end of the year.

"Every day, everywhere in the world, our military demonstrates its capacities in the service of France," Valls said in a speech at a French airbase in Niamey, where his visit was devoted to the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region.

France operates drone surveillance missions in the region from the Niamey base.

Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had announced Wednesday the planned deployment of the six Mirage 2000-Ds to Jordan.