President Barack Obama confirmed Thursday evening in a statement from the White House that the U.S. military had air-dropped humanitarian aid to civilians stranded in Iraq and he had authorized targeted military strikes if U.S. personnel become threatened by ISIS militants.
"Today I authorized two operations in Iraq — targeted air strikes to protect our American personnel and a humanitarian effort to help save thousands of Iraqi civilians who are trapped on a mountain without food and water and facing almost certain death," Obama said as he opened a statement from the State Dining Room of the White House.
The Pentagon had denied earlier reports of U.S. airstrikes, and Obama was referring only to the future possibility during his statement, according to U.S. officials.
A senior administration official told reporters during a conference call late Thursday night that no U.S. airstrikes have taken place at this time. But the official added the U.S. remains "postured to take targeted military action." The official said that "if we see action anywhere in Iraq that threatens our personnel and facilities," the U.S. would carry out strikes.
Senior administration officials said the White House has been in contact with congressional leaders to consult on the developments in Iraq, and that Obama would notify Congress with a War Powers Resolution if any airstrikes took place. The White House said the legal justification for strikes would fall under the president's powers as commander in chief.
"We feel this is a unique and urgent humanitarian challenge," a senior administration official said.
Obama said he authorized targeted air strikes to protect U.S. personnel in the future if militants move on the town of Erbil or the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, where Americans are currently stationed. He also directed the military to provide humanitarian aid to Iraqi civilians.
"At the request of the Iraqi government, we've begun operations to help save Iraqi civilians stranded on the ground," Obama said, referring to the religious sect which has been cut off on top of a mountain to escape ISIS militants.
ABC and CNN previously reported the U.S. had begun humanitarian airdrops in the Sinjar area to the Yazidi religious sect. The trapped civilians were facing a near-impossible choice: Come down the mountain and risk being killed by ISIS militants, or stay and hope aid comes their way.
"The United States cannot turn a blind eye. We can act," Obama said. "Today, America is coming to help."
According to a senior defense official, U.S. military aircraft had successfully air-dropped critical meals and water for thousands of citizens trapped near Sinjar. The aircraft, under direction of U.S. Central Command, dropped its cargo and "safely exited the immediate airspace over the drop area," the official said.
The Pentagon said the air-drop mission was conducted from multiple airbases within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Three aircraft in total, escorted by two F-18s, dropped a total of 72 bundles of supplies, including fresh drinking water and about 8,000 ready-to-eat meals.
"The supply mission did not require any U.S. ground forces," the Pentagon said.
A senior administration official told reporters that the U.S. military authorization is geographically restricted to Iraq, when asked about the possibility of a broad campaign against ISIS.
"We have not seen a viable military option in Syria that has been as clear as distinct as we have today," the official said.