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UK rules out Iraq military strikes Cameron backs US air strikes on Iraq militants
(about 1 hour later)
The UK will not be involved in the latest military action in northern Iraq, Downing Street has said. The UK prime minister has welcomed US President Barack Obama's decision to authorise air strikes against Islamic militants in Iraq.
US President Barack Obama has authorised air strikes against Islamic militants in the region amid threats to religious minorities. David Cameron said the world must help religious minorities in Iraq who are under threat from the militants, "in their hour of desperate need".
A Downing Street spokeswoman welcomed humanitarian assistance from the US, but added: "We are not planning a military intervention." Mr Cameron has asked officials to look at ways the UK can provide help, but a spokeswoman ruled out military strikes.
The Foreign Office has advised Britons not to travel to the Kurdistan region.The Foreign Office has advised Britons not to travel to the Kurdistan region.
Yazidis threatenedYazidis threatened
Islamic State (IS) militants have seized Qaraqosh, Iraq's biggest Christian town, prompting members of the Yazidi community to flee.Islamic State (IS) militants have seized Qaraqosh, Iraq's biggest Christian town, prompting members of the Yazidi community to flee.
Officials have warned the Yazidis face starvation and dehydration if they remain stranded on a local mountain, and slaughter at the hands of the militants if they flee. Officials have warned the Yazidis face starvation and dehydration if they remain stranded on Mount Sinjar, and slaughter at the hands of the militants if they move.
American troops have already made humanitarian air drops to Iraqis threatened by the IS, Mr Obama said. American troops have already made humanitarian air drops to Iraqis threatened by the IS, a Sunni Muslim group formerly known as Isis or Isil (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant).
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "We welcome the action taken by the United States overnight to provide vital supplies to those Iraqis in desperate need who are fleeing from ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and Greater Syria) terrorists." In a statement on Friday morning, Mr Cameron said: "I welcome president Obama's decision to accept the Iraqi government's request for help and to conduct targeted US air strikes, if necessary, to help Iraqi forces as they fight back against Isil terrorists to free the civilians trapped on Mount Sinjar.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon will chair a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee on the situation in Iraq on Friday. "And I fully agree with the President that we should stand up for the values we believe in - the right to freedom and dignity, whatever your religious beliefs."
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the UK was "not planning a military intervention".
But Mr Cameron added: "I have tasked officials to urgently establish what more we can do to provide help to those affected, including those in grave need of food, water and shelter in the Sinjar area."
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon will chair a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee on the situation in Iraq later on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has urged Britons currently in the Kurdistan region to leave areas close to the fighting.Meanwhile, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has urged Britons currently in the Kurdistan region to leave areas close to the fighting.