Iraqi forces have reached the besieged town of Amerli in northern Iraq, where thousands have been trapped by jihadists, 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.

Military sources told the BBC's Jim Muir, who is a few miles from Amerli, that the Iraqi Army and volunteer militia entered the town on Sunday and had broken the siege.

However Amerli remains dangerous because of roadside bombs left behind by IS militants, our correspondent says.

Fifteen Islamic State fighters were said to have been captured.

BBC