Your trusted source

The US has carried out airstrikes in Iraq in support of troops who were being attacked by Islamic State (IS) fighters, the BBC reported, citing the US military.

It said that the attacks took place on Sunday and Monday near Mount Sinjar and south-west of Baghdad.

They were the first made as part of expanded efforts outlined by US President Barack Obama last week.

Meanwhile Iraq has criticised the decision not to invite Iran to an international summit on the IS threat.

Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said the decision was "regrettable."

Thirty countries pledged to join a US-led coalition against IS in Paris.

The militant group, which originated in Syria, has swept through parts of western and northern Iraq in recent months and now controls large areas of both countries.

The US military statement said that the airstrike south-west of Baghdad was the first taken as part of "expanded efforts beyond protecting our own people and humanitarian missions to hit [IS] targets" as Iraqi forces go on the offensive.

It said that the strikes were in support of the troops, adding that six IS vehicles were destroyed near Sinjar, and a militant fighting position south-west of Baghdad.

The statement said that all aircraft exited the strike areas safely.