Over the past year, the United States has been working closely with the French military, intelligence, and security services to strengthen intelligence sharing to prosecute counter terrorism threats around the globe, specifically ISIL, according to a statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Monday.

In the wake of the recent attack on France, "we stand strong and firm with our oldest ally, which is why the US and France have decided to bolster our intelligence sharing," said the statement.

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Director of National Intelligence Jim Clapper have provided new instructions that will enable US military personnel to more easily share operational planning information and intelligence with French counterparts on a range of shared challenges to the fullest extent allowed by existing law and policy.

‎This new guidance underscores the strength of the security partnership with France and builds on longstanding cooperation that will improve their ability to "deter and defeat mutual enemies, particularly ISIL", the statement said.