President Obama Authorises Air Strikes in Iraq

President Barack Obama authorised US airstrikes in northern Iraq, warning they would be launched if needed to defend Americans from advancing Islamic militants and protect civilians under siege.

His announcement threatened a renewal of US military involvement in the country's long sectarian war. In a televised late-night statement from the White House, Mr Obama said American military planes had already carried out airdrops of humanitarian aid to tens of thousands of Iraqi religious minorities surrounded by militants and desperately in need of food and water.

"Today America is coming to help," he declared.

The announcements reflected the deepest American engagement inIraq since US troops withdrew in late 2011 after nearly a decade of war. Mr Obama, who made his remarks in a steady and sombre tone, has staked much of his legacy as president on ending what he has called the "dumb war" in Iraq. The president said the humanitarian airdrops were made at the request of the Iraqi government. The food and water supplies were delivered to the tens of thousands of Yazidis trapped on a mountain without food and water.