Airlift, Air Raids Launched in Support of Iraq

U.S. military aircrews dropped supplies to Shia Turkomen in the town of Amirli, Iraq, Aug. 30, Pentagon spokesman Adm. John Kirby said Aug. 30. The mission was conducted jointly with Australian, French, and British aircraft. While the airdrop was taking place, fighter/bomber aircraft struck ISIL targets as well, Kirby said. The combat missions were intended to support the humanitarian mission. Future such operations “will be limited in their scope and duration as necessary to address this emerging humanitarian crisis and protect the civilians trapped in Amirli,” Kirby said.