US launches 4 air strikes against Iraqi militants

US jet fighters and drones have conducted four more air strikes on jihadists (Islamic militants) in Iraq, taking out armoured carriers and a truck that were firing on civilians. US Central Command says the Islamic State militants were firing on Yazidi civilians taking shelter in the Sinjar mountains in northern Iraq. In a statement, the US military says the Islamists were firing on civilians indiscriminately. Central Command says the strikes near Sinjar were spread out, with three before noon on Saturday (before 1600 GMT) and one about 3pm (1900 GMT). The military says indications suggest that the strikes were successful in destroying the armoured vehicles. This is the third round of air strikes against Islamic State forces by the US military since they were authorised by President Barack Obama, according to AP.