U.S. Launches Airstrike Against Iraq Militants

The United States has launched an airstrike against Islamic State militants in northern Iraq, the Pentagon said Friday, one day after President Barack Obama authorized targeted strikes to protect American personnel and persecuted minorities in the region.

The Pentagon said U.S. warplanes had conducted the strike against artillery used by the Islamic State group, also known as ISIL or ISIS. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby tweeted that the militants had used the artillery against Kurdish forces defending the strategic city of Erbil, where American personnel are stationed.

US military aircraft conduct strike on ISIL artillery. Artillery was used against Kurdish forces defending Erbil, near US personnel.

— Rear Adm. John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 8, 2014 Read more...

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