With the help of Shi'ite militias, Iraqi security forces break a two-month siege of Amerli by Islamic State militants.
The advance comes after US airstrikes hit Islamic State targets near the town overnight.
The U.S. is also conducting humanitarian aid drops with emergency supplies to Amerli civilians who have been trapped for more than two months, at the mercy of Islamic State fighters.
U.S. President Barack Obama has authorized military action on Amerli amid international pressure to help the town's majority Turkmen population.
But more than 15,000 still remain trapped.
