US President Barack Obama has authorised targeted air strikes against Islamic militants in northern Iraq, if they threaten US interests. However, he said US troops would not be sent back to Iraq.The US would act to prevent acts of genocide against minority groups. The US has already made humanitarian air drops to Iraqis under threat from Islamic State militants.

The militants has seized Qaraqosh, Iraq's biggest Christian town, prompting residents to flee. A US official said supplies were dropped to members of the Yazidi minority outside Sinjar, Many Yazidi have left their homes, some taking refuge in nearby mountains. Mr. Obama said today that America is coming to help. US air strikes would target the IS militants.