News outlets report on the Obama administration’s announcement that the U.S. has approved airstrikes and is providing humanitarian aid in Iraq, as well as Britain’s pledge to provide aid.

Foreign Policy: Obama Authorizes Airstrikes and Aid Drops in Iraq
“U.S. President Barack Obama announced Thursday that he has authorized targeted airstrikes and humanitarian aid drops in Iraq…” (Casey, 8/8).

Foreign Policy: Obama Won’t Set Timetable for Iraq, As Airstrikes, Humanitarian Aid Continue
“…Obama seemed to indicate that the airstrikes, military assistance, and humanitarian aid mission that began Thursday would not be over anytime soon. The commander-in-chief said he would not set a timetable for ending U.S. engagement there…” (Lubold, 8/9).

Wall Street Journal: Barack Obama Approves Airstrikes on Iraq, Airdrops Aid
“President Barack Obama authorized targeted airstrikes and emergency assistance missions in northern Iraq, saying Thursday the U.S. must act to protect American personnel and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in the face of advances by violent Islamist militants…” (Barnes et al., 8/8).

Washington Post: How the U.S. plan for humanitarian aid and airstrikes in Iraq unfolded
“…Thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of Iraqis belonging to the minority Yazidi sect were dying of dehydration and starvation atop a barren mountain in northern Iraq, surrounded by militants who had vowed to kill them if they descended. Iraqi government efforts to drop food and water to them had failed, with pallets loaded with supplies crashing onto the rocks…” (DeYoung, 8/8).

Bloomberg Businessweek: Fallon Says U.K. to Send Food Aid to Iraqis Stranded on Mountain
“The U.K. will assist the U.S. in its humanitarian mission in Iraq and and food aid to some of Iraq’s displaced minorities, [U.K.] Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said…” (O’Donnell, 8/8).