This Article is From Aug 09, 2014

US Launches Second Round of Airstrikes on Islamic State Targets in Iraq: Officials

US Launches Second Round of Airstrikes on Islamic State Targets in Iraq: Officials

This image made from AP video shows smoke rising from airstrikes targeting Islamic State militants near the Khazer checkpoint outside of the city of Erbil on Friday

New Delhi: American officials say the U.S. launched a second round of airstrikes against Islamic State targets near Erbil on Friday, using drones and fighter jets.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the strikes by name, say unmanned aircraft struck a mortar near Erbil and four Navy F/A-18 fighter jets struck a seven-vehicle convoy outside Erbil. The jets flew off the USS George HW Bush aircraft carrier.

The Friday afternoon strikes followed a morning strike on an Islamic State artillery gun that was firing on Kurdish troops near U.S. personnel. President Barack Obama said late Thursday that the U.S. would launch airstrikes on the militant group that was threatening American military trainers in the northeastern Iraq city.

The officials say the convoy was destroyed.
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