No American Military Solutions in Iraq, White House Says
by VOA News August 07, 2014
White House spokesman Josh Earnest declined to confirm a report published by The New York Times Thursday, that said U.S. President Barack Obama is considering airstrikes and emergency relief airdrops to help 40,000 religious minorities in Iraq who are trapped on a mountaintop after threats by Islamic militants.
'There are no American military solutions to the problems in Iraq' Earnest told reporters during the midday briefing, adding that there would be no American boots on the ground.
Earnest said any U.S. military action would be limited in scope.
A defense official told the VOA: 'We have been working urgently and directly with officials in Baghdad and Irbil to coordinate Iraqi airdrops to people in need. The government of Iraq has initiated air drops in the region and we are in constant communication with them on how we can help coordinate additional relief, enhance their efforts, and provide direct assistance wherever possible.'
The urgency for action comes as Sunni extremists have made major gains in Iraq's north. The extremists took over the Kurdish town of Sinjar, forcing its population of Yazidi minorities to flee with little food or water.
Jeff Seldin contributed to this report from the Pentagon. Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AP.
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