This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28729361
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Iraq conflict: US in new air strikes on militants | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The US military says it has carried out four new air strikes on militants to defend civilians in northern Iraq. | |
| US Central Command said jet fighters and drones had destroyed armoured carriers and a truck that were firing on civilians. | |
| Thousands of civilians fled into mountains after the Islamic State (IS) overran the town of Sinjar a week ago. | |
| This is the third round of US air strikes since they were authorised by President Barack Obama. | |
| The previous strikes targeted IS (formerly known as Isis) forces threatening the Kurdish city of Irbil. | |
| Aid consignments | |
| A US military statement said the latest strikes had been defending members of the Yazidi religious group who were being "indiscriminately attacked" near Sinjar. | |
| It said a mix of fighter jets and drones destroyed an IS armoured personnel carrier (APC) that was firing on Yazidi civilians near Sinjar. | |
| The statement said US aircraft then monitored movement of other APCs and an armed truck and attacked them. | |
| This is the first time US forces have been directly involved in a military operation in Iraq since they withdrew from the country in late 2011. | |
| In recent days US aircraft have also dropped food and water to those trapped in the mountains. | |
| France and Britain have also announced that their aid consignments are imminent. | |
| On Friday, President Obama warned it was "going to take some time" to help Iraqis overcome the jihadist-led rebellion and stabilise their country. | |
| It would be a "long-term project" to revamp and resupply the military and build support among Sunnis, he said. |