Iraq requested the airstrikes to support an offensive begun in early March . The U.S. military said it was responding to a request from Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. A Pentagon spokesman said the offensive has 'stalled '
Iraq requested the airstrikes to support an offensive begun in early March . At the outset of the offensive , the Iraqi forces declined US-led coalition support though it looked to Iran for weapons and artillery . A Pentagon spokesman said the offensive has 'stalled '