Following on the heels of Iraqi forces retaking the Mosul Dam two weeks ago, CNN has reported that the siege of the town of Amirli, which had been surrounded by ISIL forces for two months, has been broken. The CNN report stated that Iraqi and “volunteer” forces had entered the village.
“The United States Air Force delivered this aid alongside aircraft from Australia, France and the United Kingdom, who also dropped much needed supplies.”
Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby issued a statement yesterday that U.S. and allied aircraft had carried out a humanitarian airdrop to supply the inhabitants with food and water, and that U.S. aircraft had conducted airstrikes on ISIL forces surrounding the town.
Sailors prepare to launch an F/A-18C Hornet, attached to the Valions of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 15, from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). Aircraft from the Bush have carried out a number of airsrikes on ISIL militants. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian Stephens
“At the request of the government of Iraq, the United States military today airdropped humanitarian aid to the town of Amirli, home to thousands of Shia Turkomen who have been cut off from receiving food, water, and medical supplies for two months by ISIL,” Kirby said. “The United States Air Force delivered this aid alongside aircraft from Australia, France and the United Kingdom, who also dropped much needed supplies.”
Fifteen airdrop pallets of humanitarian aid are lashed to the floor of a Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules transport aircraft prior to its parachute delivery to Iraqi civilians in northern Iraq. Australian DoD photo by Cpl. Janine Fabre
Australian and British C-130 Hercules aircraft have participated in humanitarian air drops, supported by RAF tanker aircraft and Tornado GR.4 strike aircraft. While it is unknown whether the Tornados have gone beyond the reconnaissance missions admitted by UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon, U.S. manned and unmanned aircraft have continued airstrikes on the ISIL terrorist forces around the Mosul Dam and Amerli.
“In conjunction with this airdrop, U.S. aircraft conducted coordinated airstrikes against nearby ISIL terrorists in order to support this humanitarian assistance operation,” Kirby said.
An RAF Hercules air dropping emergency aid over northern Iraq.
Royal Air Force Hercules C-130J aircraft from RAF Brize Norton have dropped jerry cans filled with clean water, tents and tarpaulins to provide basic shelter and solar lights that can also recharge mobile phones and enable communication. UK MoD photo by Cpl Neil Bryden RAF
“These military operations were conducted under authorization from the Commander-in-Chief to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to prevent an ISIL attack on the civilians of Amirli. The operations will be limited in their scope and duration as necessary to address this emerging humanitarian crisis and protect the civilians trapped in Amirli.
U.S. aircraft continued to attack ISIL elements trying to retake the Mosul Dam complex, and have now carried out more than 115 airstrikes on ISIL forces.
“The U.S. military will continue to assess the effectiveness of these operations and work with the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, as well as international partners including the government of Iraq, the United Nations, and non-government organizations to provide humanitarian assistance in Iraq as needed.”
RAF Tornado strike aircraft from RAF Marham at RAF Akrotiri Cyprus.
The aircraft are equipped with reconnaissance pods used to carry out surveillance to help the RAF C-130J Hercules cargo planes target where humanitarian supplies should be dropped.
Royal Air Force Hercules C-130J aircraft from RAF Brize Norton have been carrying out aid air drops. UK MoD Photo by Cpl Neil Bryden, RAF
Reports of ISIL atrocities, including video footage, continue to attest to the savagery of the terrorists, including massacres of adults and children, the rape and selling of women as slaves, and summary execution of prisoners. ISIL considers the Shia Turkomen, much like the ethnic Zehidis, and indeed anyone who doesn’t follow their own brand of Islam, as heretics who are to be converted or exterminated. ISIL’s stated goal is to create an “Islamic caliphate” that will live under the most extreme Sharia law.
An RAF Voyager aircraft refueling an RAF Hercules on route to an air drop of emergency aid over northern Iraq. UK MoD photo by Cpl Neil Bryden RAF
U.S. aircraft continued to attack ISIL elements trying to retake the Mosul Dam complex, and have now carried out more than 115 airstrikes on ISIL forces.