US launches airstrikes in northern Iraq

U.S. military aircraft carried out airstrikes on Islamist militants besieging Kurdish forces in northern Iraq, the Pentagon announced today/

The airstrikes targeted artillery being used by militants of the Islamic State extremist group against Kurdish forces defending Irbil, the Kurdish regional capital, the Pentagon said. It said the artillery was used “near U.S. personnel.”

Pentagon press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby says two F/A-18 jets dropped 500-pound bombs on a piece of artillery and the truck towing it.

U.S. officials said that the administration is stepping up its military assistance to Iraqi forces and will provide humanitarian aid.

The Kurds have pleaded for international assistance as they increasingly lose control of the 650-mile border between them and territory already controlled by the militants.