World | Iraq Iraq Forces Break 2-Month ISIS Siege Backed by US airstrikes, aid drops, town of Amerli back in Baghdad's hands By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Aug 31, 2014 6:07 AM CDT Copied Iraqi Shiite Turkmens try to board an Iraqi Army helicopter bringing supplies to Amerli, after a two-month siege by the Islamic State, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014. (AP Photo) Iraqi security forces and Shiite militiamen have broken a two-month siege imposed by the Islamic State on the northern Shiite Turkmen town of Amerli, according to various officials. Army spokesman Lt. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi said today that forces "reached" the town; retired general and Amerli resident Khaled al-Amerli confirms the report to CNN. Turkmen lawmaker Fawzi Akram al-Tarzi said the forces entered the town from two directions and are distributing aid to residents. Yesterday, the US conducted airstrikes against the Sunni militants and air-dropped humanitarian aid to residents. Aircraft from Australia, France, and Britain joined the US in the aid drop, which was requested by the Iraqi government. About 15,000 Shiite Turkmens were stranded in the farming community some 105 miles north of Baghdad. Read These Next That 'buy now, pay later' loan may soon hit your credit score. Hall of Famer Dave Parker dies Cops: Arizona 5th graders drew up plot to 'end' a classmate. Senate will grind it out this weekend for Trump's spending bill. Report an error