2nd US-led airdrop in as many days brings more food and water to Iraqi refugees

NEW DELHI – U.S. defence officials say American planes have conducted a second airdrop of food and water for thousands of refugees trapped in Iraq’s Sinjar mountains.

The chief spokesman for the Pentagon, Rear Adm. John Kirby, says that three planes dropped 72 bundles of supplies for the refugees. Included in the aid were more than 28,000 meals and more than 1,500 gallons of water.

Members of the Yazidi religious minority have been trapped for days by Islamic State militants and fear they will be slaughtered if they leave the mountains.

Two Navy fighter jets escorted the supply planes. The airdrop was the second by the U.S. in two days.

Kirby spoke from New Delhi during a round-the-world trip by U.S. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel.