Iraq: US airstrike begin on militants

 The US said its military aircraft conducted strike on ISIL artillery. 

" US military aircraft conduct strike on ISIL artillery. Artillery was used against Kurdish forces defending Erbil, near US personnel," Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby tweeted.

Amid ongoing conflict in Iraq, US President Barack Obama on Thursday authorised air strikes against Islamic militants in northern Iraq to help Iraqi forces as well as to protect  American personnel present in the country.

" In recent days, these terrorists have continued to move across Iraq, and have neared the city of Erbil, where American diplomats and civilians serve at our consulate and American military personnel advise Iraqi forces," Obama said on Thursday.

He said: "To stop the advance on Erbil, I’ve directed our military to take targeted strikes against ISIL terrorist convoys should they move toward the city.  We intend to stay vigilant, and take action if these terrorist forces threaten our personnel or facilities anywhere in Iraq, including our consulate in Erbil and our embassy in Baghdad.  We’re also providing urgent assistance to Iraqi government and Kurdish forces so they can more effectively wage the fight against ISIL."

Obama said: "Second, at the request of the Iraqi government -- we’ve begun operations to help save Iraqi civilians stranded on the mountain."

He said :"I’ve, therefore, authorized targeted airstrikes, if necessary, to help forces in Iraq as they fight to break the siege of Mount Sinjar and protect the civilians trapped there."

He said American combat troops will not return to fight in Iraq.