US mission to save Iraqi refugees Mount Sinjar 'unlikely'

The team found lesser refugees than expected. In addition, the remaining refugees stuck on the mountain were in better condition than feared.

15:12 14 August 2014

It was believed that tens of thousands of Iraqis were trapped in Mount Sinjar surrounded by Islamist militants who threatened to kill them if they came down, prompting the launch of an international mission evacuate the refugees but it has now emerged that plans will be 'unlikely' to go ahead. This is because the US team found lesser refugees than expected. Also, the remaining people in the mountain are in better condition than initially feared.  

 

American officials now claim that thousands of people have escaped from the mountain each night over the past few days. Meanwhile, the remaining refugees continue to have access to the humanitarian air drops sent out by the west. 

 

Yesterday, Prime Minister David Cameron chaired a Cobra emergency meeting on Iraq amidst growing pressure to join US airstrikes against Islamist militants. British special forces, who were expected to assist in any rescue operation, may not be needed now that US declared that the siege is over. 

 

British participation is unlikely to involve ground troops. Meanwhile, France has committed to help Iraqi Kurds, who are already getting US military aid to fight the militants. 

 

On the other hand, United Nations declared yesterday that the humanitarian crisis in Iraq is at “level three emergency”, its highest level.