US airstrikes and foreign aid drops help end IS siege on Iraqi town

An Islamic State (IS) siege on the Iraqi town of Amerli ended on Sunday after the US carried out airstrikes on IS positions to aid Iraq’s security forces.

The breakthrough came as the US, Australia, France and the UK carried out aid drops to the besieged town, reports CNN.

The US Pentagon Press Secretary said that the air-force had conducted “coordinated airstrikes” against IS targets to aid the humanitarian operation. 

The UN Human Rights Chief, last week condemned the siege on Amerli and called for international action.

IS militants had surrounded the town leaving, over 20,000 residents without food, water or power.

The US last week said that it was in the process of formulating a plan to combat IS militants that have seized large parts of Iraq whilst committing mass atrocities.

Islamic State militants execute over 150 prisoners, US to formulate plan to combat militants (28 August 2014)

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