The United States struck against the Islamic State near Baghdad for the first time with two air strikes on Sunday and Monday to support Iraqi security forces near Sinjar and southwest of Baghdad. The attack comes less than a week after US President Barack Obama ordered a “relentless” war against the Islamic State that would include air strikes in Syria and expanded operations in Iraq.
Six vehicles belonging to Islamic militants were destroyed as well as one fighting position firing against Iraqi forces southwest of Baghdad.
What differentiates these two airstrikes from the earlier ones by the U.S. in Iraq is that the previous attacks had been to protect U.S. interests and personnel and assist Iraqi refugees trapped on Mt. Sinjar. Sunday, however, was strictly against the jihadi militants.
The decision came as diplomats from around 30 countries and international organizations met in Paris to discuss the crisis. Present at the meeting were representatives from the United States, Russia and China. They pledged to support Iraq in its efforts against the Islamic State by “any means necessary” and this includes “appropriate military assistance.”
Images like the following prompted the decision to attack:
The decapitation of U.S. Journalist James Foley
The decapitation of U.S. Journalist Steven Sotloff
The decapitation of British humanitarian aid worker David Haines
Captured Kurds in a video prior to the decapitation of one of them
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