Pentagon Confirms New Airstrikes Near Iraq’s Haditha Dam
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iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. military conducted coordinated airstrikes against ISIS in the area of the Haditha Dam in Iraq, officials announced Saturday.
“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 Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement.
Fighter and bomber aircraft controlled by U.S. Central Command participated in the four strikes, under the authority to protect U.S. personnel and facilities, support humanitarian efforts, and support Iraqi forces “that are acting in furtherance of these objective,” Kirby added.
The strikes destroyed five ISIS Humvees, one armed vehicle, a checkpoint, and also damaged an ISIS bunker.
The Haditha Dam, located in Anbar province, provides fresh water for millions of Iraqis.
“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.
Another attack near the Mosul Dam on Saturday damaged an ISIS Humvee as part of an effort to support Iraqi forces protecting the area.
U.S. Central Command has conducted a total of 138 airstrikes across Iraq, according to officials.
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