The US military is continuing airstrikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants in Iraq despite threats that the group would kill another US hostage.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement: "The strikes destroyed or damaged three ISIL Humvees, one ISIL vehicle, and multiple IED emplacements.
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"These strikes were conducted under authority to support Iraqi security forces and Kurdish defence force operations, as well as to protect critical infrastructure, US personnel and facilities, and support humanitarian efforts."
CENTCOM has conducted a total of 90 airstrikes across Iraq, with 57 alone near the Mosul Dam to help the Iraqi forces recapture the dam from terrorists, since 8 August.
In an apparent retaliation, the ISIL terrorists beheaded US journalist James Foley, who was kidnapped in Syria in 2012.
The militants have also threatened to kill another kidnapped US reporter, Steven Sotloff, if air strikes in Iraq continue.
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By GlobalDataIn addition to the airstrikes, the US’ C-17 and C-130 aircraft have also dropped thousands of tonnes of humanitarian aid to displaced Iraqis on Mount Sinjar.
Meanwhile, the German Government has reportedly agreed to supply weapons and ammunition to Kurdish fighters engaged in war with militants in northern Iraq.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was quoted by DefenseNews as saying: "All these goods serve the goal, to enable the Kurdish security forces to defend themselves against the attacks of [the Islamic State]."
A German Defence Ministry spokesman Jens Flossdorf said the German Army would check what kind of its weapons are suited for such a mission and could be made available over the next week.
"Then it will be coordinated with what other countries want to provide and what is needed there the most," Flossdorf added.
To date, the US, UK, France and some other European Union countries have expressed interest in arming the Kurdish forces.
