Iraqi Forces, Militias Break Jihadists' Siege Of Amirli

Officials have said the Iraqi army backed by Shi'ite militias and Kurdish Pershmerga fighters have entered the northern Shi'ite town of Amirli, which has been besieged by the Islamic State for more than two months.

Local officials and army officers said the troops broke the siege on August 31.

The operation was launched on August 30 after days of preparations.

Thousands of people had been trapped in the town since June with dwindling food and water.

The United States said on August 30 that it carried out three air strikes in the Amirli area, and also dropped humanitarian aid to the town's residents.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters