Reda El Mawy reports from close to the besieged town of Amerli

Iraqi forces have reached the besieged town of Amerli in northern Iraq, where thousands have been trapped by jihadists for two months, military officials say.

The apparent breakthrough comes after the US carried out air strikes overnight on Islamic State (IS) positions near the town.

The UK, France and Australia joined the US in dropping humanitarian aid.

Some 15,000 minority Shia Turkmen in Amerli have been surrounded by Islamic State militants for two months.

Reda El Mawy reports from Suleiman Beg, the last fortified position before the town.