US President Barack Obama has authorized targeted air strikes against Islamic militants in Iraq to help thousands of Iraqis who are trapped on the top of a mountain and the delivery of humanitarian aid by military aircrafts.

Obama said that this is a humanitarian mission to avert a potential genocide in Iraq, but also to protect American personnel in Irbil from the Islamic militants, in case they reach the town.

The air strikes will be the first to be held since the end of 2011, when American troops withdrew from Iraq. Obama stressed that he does not intend to involve US in the war and said that “As Commander In Chief, I will not allow the United States to be dragged into fighting another war in Iraq, so even as we support Iraqis as they take the fight to these terrorists, American combat troops will not be returning to Iraq”.

Obama took action when ten of thousands of the religious minority were forced to flee from their homes and seek refuge on Mount Sinjar, where they are trapped.

President Obama also said that “When we have the unique capabilities to avert a massacre, I believe the United States of America can not turn a blind eye. We can act carefully and responsibly to prevent a potential act of genocide. That’s what we’re doing on that mountain. I have, 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.”