The U.S. military launched a series of airstrikes in northern Iraq on Friday as American forces returned to action in Iraq to fight a brutal Sunni extremist force accused of attempting genocide in its bid to create a hard-line Islamic state.
U.S. fighter jets and armed drones attacked targets in Iraq for the first time since the American troop withdrawal in 2011 to try to halt the Sunni extremist advance on the Iraqi Kurdish capital of Erbil.
The initial targets of the U.S. strikes—artillery, a group of fighters and a convoy of vehicles—were modest. Further attacks expected in coming days may remain relatively small, allowing the Obama administration to stick to its pledge of limited involvement.
However, the U.S. faced the prospect of having to intensify the air offensive if militants, undeterred, continue to press their attack against fleeing and trapped religious minorities and the Kurdish-dominated city of Erbil.
The airstrikes are meant to provide critical support for Kurdish forces struggling to repel militants from the group calling itself the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. The militant forces have taken control of the country's largest dam and have beheaded Iraqi soldiers and driven thousands of religious minorities into desolate mountains where they are struggling to survive.
As the U.S. military strikes unfolded, U.S. officials continued pressing for speedier progress in Baghdad toward formation of a new Iraqi government, a step they repeatedly have said is a key prerequisite for stability in the country. Speaking in Kabul, Secretary of State John Kerry said the solution for Iraq's problems remains a political deal in Baghdad to form a unity government, but that the U.S. has made it clear it will act.
"President Obama has been unequivocal that he will do what is necessary when it's in our interest to confront ISIL and its threat to the security of the region and to our own security in the long run," Mr. Kerry said.
Vice President Joe Biden, in a phone call Friday with new Iraqi President Fuad Masum, stressed the need for a new government as soon as possible.
U.S. jet fighters hit Islamic State targets hours after President Barack Obama approved the plan, citing a need to protect American personnel working in the region and prevent militants from decimating Iraq's marginalized Yazidi religious minority.
In the regional Kurdish capital of Erbil and in the northern city of Dohuk, where tens of thousands of people have taken refuge from Islamic State militants, people were celebrating.
"The situation is better today than it was yesterday and people are returning to their homes," said Abdullah Hawez, a student in Erbil. "But it feels like this threat almost came out of nowhere. We had felt so secure but things have changed."
The first laser guided 500 pound bombs fired by F/A-18 jet fighters destroyed mobile artillery unit outside Erbil, U.S. defense officials said.
Hours later, an armed MQ-1 Predator drone twice struck an Islamic State mortar position outside the city.
A third strike by four F/A-18 fighter planes dropped eight bombs on a seven-vehicle convoy and a stationary mortar position, the Pentagon said.
The F/A-18s flew from the USS George H.W. Bush, an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf. Officials said the drones were from a U.S. base in the Middle East. Before Friday, the last U.S. strike in Iraq was in July, 2011, military officials said.
Pilots flying the bombing missions weren't given a green light to strike targets at will, but were executing missions under orders from Gen. Lloyd Austin, the commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, who has broad latitude within Mr. Obama's authorization to choose targets, officials said.
U.S. officials expect airstrikes to continue in the coming days, along with emergency military airdrops of food and water. On Thursday, American cargo jets dropped tons of supplies to help Iraqi refugees who have been pleading for help as women and children suffer from thirst. Mr. Obama said the Sunni extremists appeared poised to wipe out the Yazidis in an act of genocide.
Military officials said most of the initial supplies made it to the refugees. But it could take several days to determine if the airdrop was effective or if more supplies are needed.
Now that airdrops have started, the United Nations in Iraq is preparing to establish a humanitarian corridor to allow people to flee threatened areas, said Nickolay Mladenov, the U.N.'s secretary-general's special representative for Iraq.
Mr. Obama said he has given his authorization for U.S. aircraft to strike militants who interfere with efforts to aid the refugees.
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