DHAKA: Unites States president Barack Obama on Saturday vowed to continue air strikes against Iraqi jihadists if needed to protect US diplomats and military advisors.

Speaking in his weekly address, Obama said that he had authorised the strikes in Iraq to protect US personnel serving in the northern city of Arbil. ‘And, if necessary, that’s what we will continue to do,’ he said, reports The Straits Times.

Obama said he had also authorised a ‘humanitarian effort’ to help displaced civilians trapped by jihadists on Mount Sinjar in northern Iraq.

Thousands of Yazidis, a Kurdish-speaking minority, fled their homes when militants attacked the town of Sinjar and many have since been stranded in the nearby mountain range with no food and water.

BDST: 1820 HRS, AUG 09, 2014