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| Iraq conflict: US in new air strikes on militants | 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. | 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 members of the Yazidi sect. | US Central Command said jet fighters and drones had destroyed armoured carriers and a truck that were firing on members of the Yazidi sect. |
| Thousands of civilians fled into the mountains after the Islamic State (IS) overran the town of Sinjar a week ago. | Thousands of civilians fled into the 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. | 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. | The previous strikes targeted IS (formerly known as Isis) forces threatening the Kurdish city of Irbil. |
| Aid consignments | 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. | 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 civilians. | |
| The statement said US aircraft then monitored movement of other APCs and an armed truck and attacked them. | The statement said US aircraft then monitored movement of other APCs and an armed truck and attacked them. |
| The series of strikes 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. | The series of strikes 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. | In recent days US aircraft have also dropped food and water to those trapped in the mountains. |
| France and Britain have also announced that they will deliver aid consignments. | France and Britain have also announced that they will deliver aid consignments. |
| IS has seized swathes of land in eastern Syria and northern and western Iraq in recent months, declaring it a "caliphate". | IS has seized swathes of land in eastern Syria and northern and western Iraq in recent months, declaring it a "caliphate". |
| The jihadists have also seized Mosul dam - Iraq's largest - where they have hoisted their black flags and are patrolling its perimeter. | |
| The militant Islamists have been widely accused of persecuting and killing members of other faiths. | The militant Islamists have been widely accused of persecuting and killing members of other faiths. |
| The UN's children's agency, Unicef, says at least 56 Yazidi children have died of dehydration in the mountains around Sinjar. | The UN's children's agency, Unicef, says at least 56 Yazidi children have died of dehydration in the mountains around Sinjar. |
| UK officials estimated on Saturday that between 50,000 and 150,000 people could be trapped there. | UK officials estimated on Saturday that between 50,000 and 150,000 people could be trapped there. |
| Juan Mohammed, a local government spokesman in the Syrian city of Qamishli, told AP news agency that more than 20,000 starving Yazidis were fleeing across the border. | Juan Mohammed, a local government spokesman in the Syrian city of Qamishli, told AP news agency that more than 20,000 starving Yazidis were fleeing across the border. |
| He said columns of refugees were running a gauntlet of gunfire through a tenuous "safe passage" being defended by forces of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region. | |
| "They are barefoot, tired and left everything behind," he said. | "They are barefoot, tired and left everything behind," he said. |
| Mr Mohammed warned that without significant help soon, those who haven't crossed "will be subjected to genocide." | Mr Mohammed warned that without significant help soon, those who haven't crossed "will be subjected to genocide." |
| Call for Iraqi unity | |
| On Saturday, President Obama warned it was "going to take some time" to help Iraqis overcome the jihadist-led rebellion and stabilise their country. | |
| He said, in the meantime, the US air strikes were destroying IS arms and equipment. | |
| "We feel confident we can prevent [IS] from going up the mountain and slaughtering the people who are there," he said. | |
| "But the next step, which is going to be complicated logistically, is how do we give safe passage for people down from the mountain and where can we ultimately relocate them so that they are safe." | |
| The US has been pressing Iraq's leaders to form a unity government to help tackle the threat from jihadists. | |
| Iraqi politicians have been unable to form a government since April's parliamentary elections, which were won by Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's State of Law Coalition. | |
| "The Iraqi security forces - in order to mount an offensive and be able to operate effectively with the support of populations in Sunni areas - are going to have to revamp and get resupplied and have a clear strategy. That is all going to be dependent on a government that the Iraqi people and the Iraqi military can have confidence in," Mr Obama said. | |
| He also reiterated that US combat troops would not be returning to Iraq. | |
| Iraq's minorities | |
| Christians | |
| Yazidis | |
| Iraq: The minorities of Nineveh | |
| Who are the Yazidis? | |
| Are you in northern Iraq? Do you have friends and family in the area? If willing to be interviewed about your experiences, or to provide information on the ongoing situation, please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the heading 'Iraq air strikes'. | Are you in northern Iraq? Do you have friends and family in the area? If willing to be interviewed about your experiences, or to provide information on the ongoing situation, please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the heading 'Iraq air strikes'. |