US bombs ISIS in northern Iraq in a bid to retake Mosul Dam

American fighter jets launched nine airstrikes on Saturday against ISIS fighters near Erbil in northern Iraq in a joint operation with Iraqi and Kurdish forces aimed at retaking the critical Mosul Dam from the militant group, U.S. Central Command said.

According to a statement published by the Pentagon on Saturday, the airstrikes were carried out by American fighter planes and drones, and have successfully achieved their goals by destroying four armoured personnel carriers, eight military vehicles and two humvee vehicles.

The statement pointed out that all planes left the site safely.

The advances by ISIS in northern Iraq since June have triggered international concern, and U.S. fighter planes have started targeted airstrikes since August 8 against the militant group, deemed threatening to stability, US interests and to minorities in Iraq.

The Mosul Dam, the largest in Iraq, was seized by ISIS earlier this month. Peshmerga forces are currently attempting to retake it with an American air cover.

By seizing control of this dam, located on the Tigris river, ISIS is now capable of flooding cities and cutting vital electricity and water supplies.