WASHINGTON // US warplanes carried out their first airstrike on militants near Baghdad as part of an expanded fight against ISIL.
The US Central Command said it conducted the strike on Monday in support of the Iraqi forces being attacked by ISILfighters south-west of the capital.
There was also an airstrike on Sunday near Sinjar in northern Iraq.
The strike southwest of Baghdad represents the newly broadened mission authorised by President Barack Obama to go on the offensive against the ISIL group.
Previous US airstrikes in Iraq were conducted to protect American interests and personnel, assist Iraqi refugees and secure critical infrastructure.
Monday’s strike was in direct support of Iraqi forces fighting the militants, targeting fighters who were firing on them.
US officials said the Iraqi forces requested assistance when they came under fire from militants. Central Command said the Sinjar strike destroyed six vehicles belonging to ISIL.
* Associated Press
