The U.S. has not confirmed the information, but Iraqi officials told CNN the airstrikes have been successful in killing more than a dozen IS (formerly ISIS) militants.

President Barack Obama said in a televised speech Saturday that the targeted airstrikes outside Erbil (Irbil), where U.S. citizens are located, have destroyed some ISIL (IS) equipment.

IraqiNews reported that so far 15 ISIS militants have been killed by the airstrikes, and seven have been injured.

Politico reported that attacks on Friday destroyed mortar positions and a seven-vehicle convoy, killing an unknown number of terrorists.

In addition, there have been two successful air drops for humanitarian aid to the Iraqi stuck on Mount Sinjar, according to CNN.

"American aircraft are positioned to strike ISIL terrorists around the mountain to help (Kurdish) forces in Iraq break the seige and rescue those who are trapped there," Obama said.

Saturday was the second day of airstrikes with an unknown timetable for future strikes.

"I don't think we're going to solve this problem in weeks," Obama said.

Pentagon press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby told Politico Friday, "As the president made clear, the United States military will continue to take direct action against ISIL when they threaten our personnel and facilities."

The command to attack the terrorist group came after the president learned of their proximity to Erbil Thursday.

"Wherever and whenever (U.S.) personnel are facilities are threatened, it is my obligation ... to make sure they're protected," Obama said, according to CNN

The city is one mostly full of foreigners, either from expat employees of multinational firms or aid agencies, according to BBC. It is a safe area for them to live without having to wander with armed bodyguards.

While no timeline for the airstrikes has been revealed, the president did say that he is helping fend off the IS militants until the Iraqi government feels it is strong enough.

"In order to ensure that Sunni populations reject outright these kinds of incursions, they've got to feel like they're invested in a boarder national governments. And right now they don't feel that," Obama said.