The U.S. War Against The Islamic State Is Intensifying

U.S. Military Announces 14 Airstrikes In Iraq Following James Foley Execution -- Washington Post

Militants who executed American journalist James Foley in a video released Tuesday implied they would do the same to another war correspondent, Steven Sotloff, if President Obama does not stop U.S. airstrikes in Iraq. That doesn’t appear to have dissuaded the president or senior defense officials: The U.S. military announced 14 more airstrikes in northern Iraq on Wednesday, saying it had hit a variety of militant targets.

The strikes, conducted in support of Iraqi security force operations, were carried out by a mix of fighter jets, drones and “attack aircraft,” according to U.S. Central Command. Military officials did not specify which kind of aircraft were used.

The strikes destroyed or damaged six militant Humvees, three improvised explosive device emplacements, one mortar tube and two armed trucks, CENTCOM officials said. The strikes occurred around the Mosul Dam, which U.S. officials say Iraqi troops seized from the militants in recent days. Since Obama first authorized airstrikes Aug. 7, the United States has now conducted a total of 84 airstrikes across Iraq, including 51 near the dam.

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Update #1: US military ramps up airstrikes in Iraq, weighs additional troops after execution video -- FOX News
Update #2: The Islamic State is hitting back .... Islamic State militants seize four more foreign hostages in Syria (The Guardian)

My Comment: It is just a gut feeling ... but I cannot help but feel that the U.S. and the West are slowly being dragged into this conflict .... whether we want to or not. There are also some who believe that ISIS is doing this deliberately .... to strategically attempt a wider war against the US. Either way .... expect more U.S. and Western boots on the ground in Iraq in the coming days/weeks.