Copenhagen, Oct 16 (IANS): Two fighter jets from the Danish Air Force were deployed Thursday morning to support the fight against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in Iraq, said the Danish defence ministry.

"The aircraft took part in an operation over Iraq in close cooperation with coalition partners," Xinhua quoted Defence Minister Nicolai Wammen as saying in an official statement released Thursday.

The Danish fighter jets collected information for friendly forces on the ground and in the air, according to the ministry.

Wammen expressed his satisfaction that the Danish F-16 contribution is now an active part in the international coalition fighting against the IS.

Both aircraft are back at Ahmed Al Jaber base in Kuwait.

The Danish contribution to fight the IS includes four operational F-16s and three in reserve, along with a crew of up to 140 military personnel.

The decision to send the Danish fighter jets to Iraq was taken by a large majority in parliament Oct 2.