US aircraft hits Islamic State artillery in Iraq: Pentagon

US military aircraft conducted an airstrike on Friday against Islamic State artillery used against Kurdish forces defending the city of Arbil, Iraq, near US personnel, a Pentagon spokesman said.
Two F/A-18 aircraft dropped 500-pound laser-guided bombs on a mobile artillery piece near Arbil, Pentagon press secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement.
He said the Islamic rebels had been using the artillery to shell Kurdish forces defending Arbil where US personnel are located.
"The decision to strike was made by the US Central Command commander under authorization granted him by the commander in chief," he said.
Kirby said the strike occurred at 1045 GMT, according to a news agency.