ABC NewsThe United States carried out an airstrike against ISIS militants in Iraq today, targeting artillery, the Pentagon’s press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said.
Kirby said two F/A 18 fighter jets dropped 500 pound laser guided bombs on a mobile artillery piece near Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish province. He said the artillery was being “used against Kurdish forces defending Erbil, near US personnel.”
The strike comes one day after President Obama authorized airstrikes in Iraq if necessary.
“We intend to stay vigilant, and take action if these terrorist forces threaten our personnel or facilities anywhere in Iraq,” Obama said.
Obama said there will be no U.S. troops on the ground.
“I will not allow the United States to be dragged into fighting another war in Iraq. And so even as we support Iraqis, as they take the flight to these terrorists, American combat troops will not be returning to fight in Iraq,” Obama said.
It has been nearly three years since U.S. forces left Iraq, three years since Obama announced the war there was over. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers left Iraq in December 2011.
Administration officials believe the Iraqis are best-suited to deal with the threat of ISIS, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, over the long term.
“We’re laying down a marker here that even though [ISIS] is not penetrating Erbil, just their presence on the periphery, and the potential threat they pose, could lead us to take action if the targets present themselves,” an official told ABC News.
U.S. forces are conducting a difficult and dangerous humanitarian mission, with three U.S. Air Force cargo jets escorted by two F-18 fighter jets dropping critical supplies. In a race to stop a catastrophe, thousands of families who fled to the top of a mountain in Sinjar now face a worrisome predicament, battling blistering heat, pleading that there is no water or bread. Nearly 20 children have already died.
They are trapped 3,000 feet up with no escape.
Down below, ISIS terrorists have taken over their homes, warning of a slaughter if they return.
The U.S. aircraft dropped 5,300 gallons of water and 8,000 ready-to-eat meals.
Senior administration officials said air drops and humanitarian aid will continue “as we see need,” and the administration expects that need to continue.
The White House believes any action would be consistent with international law, because U.S. input was requested by the Iraqi government. Additionally, the administration believes that the president has the legal authority under the Constitution to act to protect U.S. citizens.
At this point, the United States is not evacuating Americans from Erbil, confident that the consulate is safe, administration officials said.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/us-ready-strike-militants-iraq/story?id=24897334
Must have been more than just ‘near US personnel’.
How many stand down orders happened in Benghazi??
Saw another article to the effect that Turkey was getting ready to bomb the snot out of ’em too.