MESOP : COALITION SAVES KURDS – NOT KANDIL
Britain’s Royal Air Force carried out strikes in Iraq on Tuesday, for the first time since parliament approved joining U.S.-led airstrikes. Supporting Kurdish forces in northwestern Iraq, British warplanes hit an Islamic State weaponry position. Additionally, British strikes hit vehicles west of Baghdad. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced Australian aircraft will begin support operations in Iraq, but a decision has not been made yet to participate in airstrikes. Turkey may open the door to direct involvement in the fight against Islamic State militants, as the parliament prepares to debate a proposal that would authorize sending troops into Syria and Iraq and allow foreign soldiers to use Turkish bases. U.S.-led forces conducted airstrikes Wednesday targeting Islamic State fighters besieging the predominantly Kurdish town of Kobani, near the Turkish border.