US Finds Fewer Refugees on Iraqi Mountain, Evacuation 'Less Likely' | WPN World People News

The U.S. Defense Department says a mission to evacuate refugees from a mountain in northern Iraq is "far less likely" after an assessment found fewer refugees in the area than previously feared.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, speaking to reporters late Wednesday, cited the effects of U.S. airstrikes against the Islamic State group and airdrops of humanitarian aid in helping to improve the situation on Mount Sinjar.

"Not only were there fewer people up there, but they were in relatively good condition, and the people up there credited our efforts with the water and the food and also buying space and time with those airstrikes against ISIL, so that's good news," said Hagel.

Iraqi Kurds and other minorities sought refuge on Mount Sinjar ahead of a deadly militant onslaught in the vast regions near the Syrian border.

The U.S. sent troops to the area this week to assess how to help the humanitarian situation. Hagel said Wednesday that despite the positive assessment, the U.S. effort in Iraq is "not complete."

President Barack Obama has ruled out sending combat troops back into Iraq.

Meanwhile, embattled Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki continued to resist mounting international pressure to step aside. Maliki, who is intent on serving a third term, said Wednesday he will not give up power until a federal court rules on new President Fouad Massoum's decision to name a Maliki rival as prime minister.

Maliki -- a Shi'ite -- has lost the support of the international community. Critics accuse him of marginalizing Iraq's minority Sunnis and Kurds and of failing to unite the politically fractured landscape of Iraq during his tenure.

Source: Voice of America