France has started military operations in the Central African Republic (CAR) with French soldiers patrolling in the country’s capital, Bangui.

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian made the announcement on Friday.

This comes shortly after sectarian violence left over 120 people dead in the capital.

The French minister said that the troops had begun to patrol Thursday night.

"A company arrived in Libreville last night and today (Friday) a detachment of helicopters will be in the area," Le Drian said, adding that the goal of the mission is to provide “a minimum of security to allow for a humanitarian intervention” to be put in place.

He added that the operation would include securing roads and main routes “to allow people to be able to at least go to the hospital.”

The deployment comes after the UN Security Council authorized the French and African troops to protect civilians in the Central African Republic.

On December 5, the UN Security Council unanimously voted for a French-drafted resolution that gives a UN mandate to about 4,800 African and French troops being sent to CAR.

French President Francois Hollande doubled its forces in and near the country by ordering the deployment of 600 more soldiers to CAR.

The Central African Republic has plunged into chaos and sectarian violence since the majority rebel movement Seleka toppled the country’s President Francois Bozize in March.

There are many mineral resources, including gold and diamond, in the Central African Republic. However, the country is extremely poor and has faced a series of rebellions and coups since it gained independence in 1960.