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Iraq crisis: US launches first strike against militants as Kerry declares Isis campaign shows signs of 'genocide' Iraq crisis: US launches first strike against militants as Kerry declares Isis campaign shows signs of 'genocide'
(35 minutes later)
John Kerry has declared a campaign by Islamic militants to overrun Iraq has “all the warning signs of genocide” as the US launched its first air strike against Islamic State artillery.John Kerry has declared a campaign by Islamic militants to overrun Iraq has “all the warning signs of genocide” as the US launched its first air strike against Islamic State artillery.
The Pentagon said America aircraft launched an attack on artillery used by militants against Kurdish forces defending the city of Irbil. The Pentagon said American aircraft launched an attack on artillery used by militants against Kurdish forces defending the city of Irbil.
Two F/A-18 aircraft dropped 500-pound laser-guided bombs on a mobile artillery piece, Pentagon press secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement.Two F/A-18 aircraft dropped 500-pound laser-guided bombs on a mobile artillery piece, Pentagon press secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement.
He said the Islamic rebels had been using the artillery to shell Kurdish forces defending Erbil where U.S. personnel are located. He said the Islamic rebels had been using the artillery to shell Kurdish forces near where US personnel are located.
"The decision to strike was made by the US Central Command commander under authorization granted him by the commander in chief," he said. The move came just hours after Mr Obama authorised limited air strikes in Iraq to slow the rapid advance of Isis fighters, who have seized parts of the country.
The move came as the US Secretary of State spoke hours after Mr Obama authorised limited air strikes in Iraq to slow the rapid advance of Isis fighters, who have seized parts of the country. Earlier Mr Kerry was quoted by Sky News as telling a conference in Afghanistan: “The stakes for Iraq's future can also not be more clear.
During a visit to Afghanistan, Mr Kerry told a conference: “The stakes for Iraq's future can also not be more clear. "Isis's campaign of terror against the innocent, including the Christian minority, and its grotesque targeted acts of violence show all the warning signs of genocide.”
"ISIL's campaign of terror against the innocent, including the Christian minority, and its grotesque targeted acts of violence show all the warning signs of genocide.”
In a late night statement, Mr Obama also confirmed US planes have delivered essential supplies to 40,000 Iraqis of the minority Yazidi religion who have fled into a mountainous area in north Iraq for fear of being slaughtered by the ISIS forces.In a late night statement, Mr Obama also confirmed US planes have delivered essential supplies to 40,000 Iraqis of the minority Yazidi religion who have fled into a mountainous area in north Iraq for fear of being slaughtered by the ISIS forces.
Many are trapped on the mountain without food or water by fighters surrounding Mount Sinjar.Many are trapped on the mountain without food or water by fighters surrounding Mount Sinjar.
Targeted strikes have not yet been carried out. During the conference, Mr Obama was quick to stress strikes did not mean troops back on the ground, saying: “As commander in chief, I will not allow the United States to be drawn into fighting another war in Iraq.” Militants have also captured Mosul, Iraq’s second biggest city, where Christians have been fleeing after an ultimatum was issued demanding they pay a special tax, convert, or face death.
Militants have captured Mosul, Iraq’s second biggest city, where Christians have been fleeing after an ultimatum was issued demanding they pay a special tax, convert, or face death. During the conference, Mr Obama was quick to stress strikes did not mean troops back on the ground, saying: “As commander in chief, I will not allow the United States to be drawn into fighting another war in Iraq.”
David Cameron condemned attacks carried out by Isis as “barbaric”, but stressed he would not be ordering any military intervention in Iraq. Meanwhile, David Cameron condemned attacks carried out by Isis as “barbaric”, but stressed he would not be ordering any military intervention in Iraq.
Mr Cameron said he "fully agreed" with the President's "that we should stand up for the values we believe in", and remains “especially concerned” for the Yazidi community.
"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," he said.