U.S. weighing mission to help Shi'ite Turkomans in Iraq
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 28 August 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, U.S. weighing mission to help Shi'ite Turkomans in Iraq, 28 August 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/542ac6b524.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 28, 2014
The United States is reportedly considering a possible humanitarian relief operation for Shi'ite Turkomans in northern Iraq who have been under siege for weeks by Islamic State (IS) militants.
U.S. officials said on August 27 the administration is focused on the town of Amirli, located near Kurdish territory, where an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people are estimated to have no access to food or water.
If it went forward, the relief mission would be the second recent U.S. military humanitarian intervention in Iraq.
American cargo aircraft dropped tons of food and water to thousands of members of the Yazidi sect in northern Iraq earlier this month, while U.S. air strikes targeted nearby IS positions.
Also on August 27, reports said Iraqi security forces and Shi'ite militia massed around Amerli to break the siege of the town.
Based on reporting by AFP and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
