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Iraq conflict: US in new air strikes on militants Iraq conflict: US in new air strikes on militants
(about 3 hours 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 a third round of air strikes on Sunni Muslim 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 jet fighters and drones destroyed armoured carriers and a truck that were firing on members of the Yazidi sect, officials said.
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. IS has taken control of swathes of Iraq and Syria in the past few months.
The previous strikes targeted IS (formerly known as Isis) forces threatening the Kurdish city of Irbil. IS (formerly known as Isis) has declared a "caliphate", or Islamic state, in the region, prompting thousands of religious minorities to flee their homes in northern Iraq.
Aid consignments US President Barack Obama authorised the military offensive last week to halt the advance of IS forces threatening the Kurdish city of Irbil.
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 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.
The Pentagon also said a third US air-drop of food and water had been made on Saturday night to refugees on Mt Sinjar. Meanwhile, a British military aircraft has made its first airdrop of humanitarian aid in Iraq, says the UK Ministry of Defence.
'Barefoot and tired'
A US military statement said the latest four strikes had been aimed at defending members of the Yazidi religious group who were being "indiscriminately attacked" near Sinjar.
IS has been widely accused of targeting and killing members of other faiths.
The US 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 also attacked other APCs and an armed truck.
The Pentagon also said a third US air-drop of food and water had been made on Saturday night to refugees on Mount Sinjar.
One C-17 and two C-130 cargo aircraft dropped a total of 72 bundles of supplies.One C-17 and two C-130 cargo aircraft dropped a total of 72 bundles of supplies.
Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told the BBC it had been assessed that all 72 had "got into the right hands".Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told the BBC it had been assessed that all 72 had "got into the right hands".
France and Britain have also announced that they will deliver aid consignments.France and Britain have also announced that they will deliver aid consignments.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius is travelling to Baghdad and Irbil for talks on Sunday.French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius is travelling to Baghdad and Irbil for talks on Sunday.
'Barefoot and tired' The UN children's agency, Unicef, says at least 56 Yazidi children have died of dehydration in the mountains around Sinjar.
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 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 had fled 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 had fled 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.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 had not crossed would be "subjected to genocide".
Amnesty International aid worker Donatella Rovera told the BBC that thousands of those trapped on the north side of the mountains had managed to escape, but added: "The most acute situation is for those on the southern side, they cannot get to the safe passage that has been opened." Amnesty International aid worker Donatella Rovera told the BBC that thousands of those trapped on the north side of the mountains had managed to escape, but added: "The most acute situation is for those on the southern side. They cannot get to the safe passage that has been opened."
Call for Iraqi unityCall for Iraqi unity
IS seized Qaraqosh, referred to as Iraq's Christian capital, last week. The militants have also captured Mosul dam - the country's largest - where they have hoisted their black flags and are patrolling its perimeter.
On Saturday, President Obama warned it was "going to take some time" to help Iraqis overcome the jihadist-led rebellion and stabilise their country.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.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.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.
Iraq's minoritiesIraq's minorities
ChristiansChristians
YazidisYazidis
Iraq: The minorities of NinevehIraq: The minorities of Nineveh
Who are the Yazidis?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'.