U.S. military carries out airstrikes, aid drops to Iraqi town surrounded by ISIS

Source: CNN

(CNN) -- The United States says it has carried out airstrikes and dropped humanitarian aid in the Iraqi town of Amerli to protect an ethnic minority that one official says faces the threat of an "imminent massacre."
The town of Amerli, which has been besieged by ISIS fighters, is home to many of Iraq's Shiite Turkmen.
To help the trapped people, the United States has carried out humanitarian airdrops, Pentagon press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said late Saturday.

Australia, France and the UK also participated in the aid drop.

The U.S. military conducted "coordinated airstrikes" against ISIS targets as part of an effort to support the humanitarian operation, Kirby said.

Video released by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense was strikingly similar to the scenes of the dire situation faced by the Yazidis, who were trapped on the Sinjar Mountains by ISIS, earlier this month. Dozens of people crowded helicopters, hoping to be rescued. Scores more awaited the arrival life-saving supplies in the scorching summer sun.

ISIS fighters have surrounded Amerli, 70 miles north of Baquba, since since mid-June. The town's fewer than 20,000 residents are without power.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/30/world/meast/isis-iraq-syria/index.html?sr=sharebar_twitter

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CNN confirming US airstrikes and participation of Australia, France and UK.

The support of the humanitarian operation is the necessary justification for the airstrikes.