US conducts first airstrikes on IS targets near Baghdad

According to AFP, the US has for the first time conducted an airstrike on a target of the self-proclaimed Islamic State group near the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

A US Defense Department official said US aircraft carried out airstrikes near Baghdad and another location near the Sinjar mountain range in northern Iraq within the past 24 hours./.

US F18 fighter jets took part in airstrikes against IS in northern Iraq last month

The airstrikes came after an international conference in Paris pledged support for Iraq in its fight against IS.

At the conference, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Didier Reynders announced the possibility that Belgium will contribute to the international coalition against IS with F-16 and C-130 fighter jets.

According to Mr. Reynders, Belgium has not yet received an official request, but Belgian F-16 and C-130 fighter jets deployed in Afghanistan are ready to join the campaign against IS when ordered. If requested, Belgium would send air force to fight, not ground troops to Iraq or Syria. However, this participation is still subject to approval by the Belgian Parliament. In case a new government is formed, this government itself must propose to the Parliament that Belgium join the fight against IS.

Previously, when Belgium did not have a new government in 2011, the National Assembly passed a resolution to send troops to fight in Libya at the request of the outgoing government./.

According to VNA