06/09/2014 09:54
US conducts more airstrikes against Islamic State in Iraq
The United States continues to conduct airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq, US Central Command said in a statement, according to RIA Novosti.
“US military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Iraq, using a mix of fighter, attack, bomber and unmanned aircraft to conduct four airstrikes Thursday and Friday in support of Mosul Dam and defense of Irbil operations,” the statement reads. “In total, the strikes destroyed an ISIL observation post, one ISIL Humvee, one ISIL armed vehicle, one ISIL truck, and three ISIL mortar positions.”
According to the Central Command, the strikes were conducted to protect “US personnel and facilities, support humanitarian efforts, and support Iraqi forces that are acting in furtherance of these objectives.”
In total, the US Central Command has conducted of 131 airstrikes across Iraq.
In August, US President Barack Obama authorized "targeted" airstrikes against IS, in order to protect American interests in Iraq.