DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2014 – At the request of the government
of Iraq, U.S. military aircraft attacked terrorists from the Islamic State of
Iraq and the Levant yesterday in support of Iraqi security forces and Sunni
tribes protecting the Haditha and Mosul dams, according to a news release from
U.S. Central Command.
A mix of fighter and bomber aircraft conducted four
airstrikes near Haditha. In total, the strikes destroyed five ISIL Humvees, one
ISIL armed vehicle, an ISIL checkpoint and also damaged an ISIL bunker. All
aircraft exited the strike areas safely.
“We conducted these strikes to prevent terrorists from
further threatening the security of the dam, which remains under control of
Iraqi Security Forces, with support from Sunni tribes,” Pentagon Press
Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said today.
Additionally, an attack aircraft conducted one airstrike
against ISIL near Mosul Dam in support of Iraqi security forces protecting the
dam. The strike damaged an ISIL Humvee and the aircraft exited the strike area
safely.
The strikes were conducted under authority to protect U.S.
personnel and facilities, support humanitarian efforts, and support Iraqi
forces that are acting in furtherance of these objectives.
"We will continue to conduct operations as needed in
support of the Iraqi security forces and the Sunni tribes, working with those
forces securing Haditha Dam,” the press secretary said.
Corralling water from the Euphrates River, the Haditha Dam
provides electricity and fresh water for millions of Iraqi citizens and farms.
It is second only to the Mosul Dam in hydroelectric production for Iraq.
"The potential loss of control of the dam or a
catastrophic failure of the dam -- and the flooding that might result -- would
have threatened U.S. personnel and facilities in and around Baghdad, as well as
thousands of Iraqi citizens," Kirby said.
U.S. Central Command has conducted a total of 138 airstrikes
across Iraq since operations began Aug. 8.
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