The US President is vowing to continue air strikes against the Islamic State, if needed, to protect US diplomats and military advisers.

Barack Obama has also authorised a "humanitarian effort" to help displaced civilians trapped by militants on Mount Sinjar in northern Iraq.

Tens of thousands of meals and water containers have been air-dropped to thousands of refugees

In his weekly address, President Obama explained the reasoning behind the airstrikes:

"This week I authorised two operations in Iraq. First, I directed our military to take action to protect our American diplomats and military advisers serving in the city of Erbil, and if that’s necessary that’s what we will continue to do."