BRETT LOGIURATO
Reuters
The U.S. has launched a second round of airstrikes against a target of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS or ISIL), U.S. officials told NBC News.
CBS’ David Martin reports the U.S. has conducted “several” more airstrikes following Friday morning’s strike. There are reports of ISIS casualties.
The Defense Department didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on the reports.
Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby announced the first strike against ISIS artillery early Friday morning. Kirby said in a statement that the operation was conducted at approximately 6:45 a.m. ET. Two F/A 18 fighter aircraft dropped 500-pound laser-guided bombs on a mobile artillery piece near the Kurdish capital of Erbil. The decision to strike was made by the U.S. Central Command commander in Iraq under the authorization granted by President Barack Obama.
“As the president made clear, the United States military will continue to take direct action against ISIL when they threaten our personnel and facilities,” Kirby said.
Obama said in a statement from the White House Thursday night that he authorized targeted airstrikes to protect U.S. personnel if militants move on the town of Erbil or the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, where Americans are currently stationed. He also directed the U.S. military to provide humanitarian aid to Iraqis who are part of the Yazidi religious sect and other religious minorities.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Friday that while there’s no “specific end date” for U.S. airstrikes, a “prolonged military conflict that includes U.S. involvement is not on the table.”
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