Obama authorizes targeted US airstrikes against Islamists in Iraq

US President Barack Obama said Thursday that he's authorized "targeted airstrikes" in Iraq to protect American personnel and help Iraqi forces protect some 200,000 civilians on the run from Islamist attacks. Targeted strikes would be made against Islamist militants "should they move toward” Irbil, where dozens of American consular staff and military advisers work with the Iraqi military. For the destitute Yazidis and Christians trapped in northern mountains, US cargo planes airdropped 8.000 meals and dozens of gallons of water.