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From VOA Learning English, this is In The News.
The United States military bombed Islamic State militants in northern Iraq on Friday. A Defense Department official said U.S. airplanes dropped laser-guided bombs on militant artillery positions near the city of Irbil. The Islamists reportedly had used the artillery against Iraqi Kurdish forces defending the city.
On Thursday, President Barack Obama ordered the U.S. military to carry out "targeted airstrikes" against the militants. The Islamic State was formerly known as ISIL -- the Islamic State of Syria and the Levant.
The president said the military operation is part of a combined effort to support Kurdish forces in the north. Another goal, he said, is to provide humanitarian aid to Iraqi civilians threatened by militant action.
"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."
Humanitarian Crisis
Mr. Obama spoke hours after U.S. aircraft dropped humanitarian aid on Iraq's Mount Sinjar. Thousands of displaced Iraqis have been living there for days without food, water or shelter. They fled up the mountain to escape from the Islamic State militants.
The refugees are mainly Christians or members of the Yazidi religious group. The militants are Sunni Muslims. They have threatened to kill non-Muslims if they reject Islam's teachings. They are also carrying out attacks on Muslims who are not Sunnis.
President Obama says the United States should act if it has the ability to avoid a humanitarian crisis.
"We can act carefully and responsibly to prevent a potential act of genocide. That's what we're doing on that mountain. I've therefore authorized targeted air strikes if necessary to help forces in Iraq as they fight to break the siege of Mount Sinjar and protect the civilians trapped there."
The president ordered air strikes against ISIL vehicles if they moved toward Irbil. He also approved strikes anywhere else in Iraq where the militants threaten American personnel and property.
On Friday, Britain expressed support for Mr. Obama's approval of air strikes. Defense Secretary Michael Fallon announced that his country would take part in the effort to aid Iraqi refugees.
The air strikes this week represent the biggest use of American military force in Iraq since U.S. troops withdrew from the country in 2011. The Iraq War lasted more than eight years.
President Obama said on Thursday that he would not send ground troops back to Iraq. His administration has faced public pressure to avoid new involvement in foreign conflicts.
Militants Push Toward Kurdish Areas
In recent days, Islamic State forces and other militants have made gains against Kurdish forces in northern Iraq. The United States has a diplomatic office and military advisors in Irbil. The militants defeated the Kurdish forces in several towns. The group also says it has taken control of a major dam on the Tigris River. This would give militants control of power and water that supplies Baghdad.
Iraq Continues to Suffer from Political Problems
Iraq's ability to answer the militant offensive has been slowed by a political leadership dispute. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has faced repeated calls to leave office. His group won the most seats in a national election earlier this year, but efforts to form a new government have failed.
And that's In The News from VOA Learning English.
I'm Christopher Cruise.
词汇讲解：
1. operation n.操作，经营; 手术
例句：Recovery from a major operation?
你刚从一次大手术中康复过来?
2. provide vt. 提供，供给
例句：Messrs litan and schramm provide detailed answers.
利坦和施拉姆先生给出了详细的答案。
3. threaten vt. 预示(某事); 恐吓; 危及
例句：This might threaten economic recovery.
这些措施可能会威胁经济复苏。
4. displace vt.移动，移走; 替换
例句：New technologies often fail to displace old ones.
新技术常常无法替代旧的技术。
5. avoid vt.避开，避免
例句：How can I avoid getting stung?
我怎么才能避免上当受骗?
6. approve vt. 赞成，同意
例句：It now takes months to approve plans for events. "
现在单单批准活动计划就需要几个月。
7. announce vt.宣布; 述说
例句：Please announce to the children that there will be no school this afternoon.
请通知孩子们今天下午不上课。
8. election n.选举，当选
例句：He defeated his opponents in this election.
他在这次选举中击败了对手。
短语讲解：
1. On Thursday, President Barack Obama ordered the U.S. military to carry out "targeted airstrikes" against the militants.
carry out 执行; 进行
例句：They should also carry out some fundamental reforms.
这些政府也应该执行一些基础性的改革。
2. They fled up the mountain to escape from the Islamic State militants.
escape from 逃避; 逃出
例句：Drawing is a healthy way to escape from everyday life.
画画是我们逃离日常生活的一种健康的方式。
3. Defense Secretary Michael Fallon announced that his country would take part in the effort to aid Iraqi refugees.
take part in 参加…，参与…活动
例句：The community members who take part in the study circles.
参与这项研究会一部分工作的社区成员。
4. The group also says it has taken control of a major dam on the Tigris River.
take control of 控制
例句：There must be someone who can take control of these naughty children.
应该有人能管住这些淘气的孩子。