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US ramps up Iraq air strikes in support of Kurdish attack on key dam US uses bombers as air strikes support Kurdish attack on key Iraq dam
(about 2 hours later)
The US on Sunday signalled a significant expansion of air strikes against Islamic State (Isis) militants in northern Iraq, as Kurdish peshmerga fighters continued an offensive aimed at regaining control of the strategically vital Mosul dam.The US on Sunday signalled a significant expansion of air strikes against Islamic State (Isis) militants in northern Iraq, as Kurdish peshmerga fighters continued an offensive aimed at regaining control of the strategically vital Mosul dam.
The strikes were the first in the current air campaign, which began on 8 August alongside drops of humanitarian aid to Yazidi refugees marooned on Mount Sinjar, to involve land-based bombers as well as fighter jets and drones.The strikes were the first in the current air campaign, which began on 8 August alongside drops of humanitarian aid to Yazidi refugees marooned on Mount Sinjar, to involve land-based bombers as well as fighter jets and drones.
A statement from US Central Command said 14 strikes had been carried out on Sunday, “to support humanitarian efforts in Iraq, and support Iraqi security forces and Kurdish defence forces”. Isis fighters around the Mosul dam and the Kurdish capital of Irbil were hit nine times on Saturday.A statement from US Central Command said 14 strikes had been carried out on Sunday, “to support humanitarian efforts in Iraq, and support Iraqi security forces and Kurdish defence forces”. Isis fighters around the Mosul dam and the Kurdish capital of Irbil were hit nine times on Saturday.
“US military forces continued to attack [Isis] terrorists in Iraq Sunday,” the statement said, “using a mix of fighter, bomber, attack and remotely piloted aircraft to successfully conduct air strikes near the Mosul dam.”“US military forces continued to attack [Isis] terrorists in Iraq Sunday,” the statement said, “using a mix of fighter, bomber, attack and remotely piloted aircraft to successfully conduct air strikes near the Mosul dam.”
The statement said the 14 strikes damaged or destroyed “10 armed vehicles, seven Humvees, two armoured personnel carriers, and one checkpoint”, and added that all aircraft involved had “exited the strike areas safely”.The statement said the 14 strikes damaged or destroyed “10 armed vehicles, seven Humvees, two armoured personnel carriers, and one checkpoint”, and added that all aircraft involved had “exited the strike areas safely”.
Isis militants captured the Mosul dam, which supplies electricity and water to a vast area of northern Iraq, two weeks ago, leading to fears that they could cut off water or electricity or orchestrate a massive and catastrophic flood. On Sunday, Kurdish fighters seeking to regain control of the dam said they had taken its eastern part. Isis militants captured the Mosul dam, which supplies electricity and water to a vast area of northern Iraq, two weeks ago, leading to fears that they could cut off water or electricity or orchestrate a massive and catastrophic flood. On Sunday, Kurdish fighters sought to regain control of the dam. A spokesman, Halgurd Hekmat, told Reuters US planes had been striking targets near the dam over the last 24 hours. “God willing we will regain control of the dam today,” he said.
A peshmerga spokesman, Halgurd Hikmat, told Reuters US planes had been striking targets near the dam over the last 24 hours. Hekmat later told the Associated Press: “The west is in control of peshmerga. But there are some battles taking place in the [east] right now.” Another commander said peshmerga forces had crossed the Tigris river.
“God willing we will regain control of the dam today,” he said. Speaking anonymously, the commander told the AP the advance was encountering roadside bombs and buildings rigged with explosives. He also said the Iraqi government had delivered 16 military Humvees and mechanised bomb-disposal equipment, and said his fighters needed further military supplies.
An engineer from the dam said militants had told local residents to leave, and said they would plant roadside bombs on approaches to the facility. Kurdish fighters were also reported to be advancing on Mosul; witnesses said they had taken two mainly Christian towns, Batmaiya and Telasqaf, 18 miles from the city.
Kurdish fighters were also reported to be advancing on the city of Mosul; witnesses said they had taken two mainly Christian towns, Batmaiya and Telasqaf, 18 miles from Mosul.
The US and international humanitarian mission has been aimed at helping refugees from the Yazidi religious minority, who have been persecuted by Isis. On Saturday, witnesses said militants had executed 80 Yazidi men from the village of Kocho and abducted their wives and children; the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the execution of 700 Yazidis across the border in eastern Syria.The US and international humanitarian mission has been aimed at helping refugees from the Yazidi religious minority, who have been persecuted by Isis. On Saturday, witnesses said militants had executed 80 Yazidi men from the village of Kocho and abducted their wives and children; the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the execution of 700 Yazidis across the border in eastern Syria.
Around 100 Yazidis demonstrated in the town of Dohuk on Sunday, saying they wanted to travel to Turkey but were being prevented from doing so.Around 100 Yazidis demonstrated in the town of Dohuk on Sunday, saying they wanted to travel to Turkey but were being prevented from doing so.
“They can’t protect us,” Reuters quoted one as saying. “The Islamic State came to our villages and killed hundreds. We don’t want to stay in Iraq, they will kill us sooner or later. I want America to help me. The peshmerga are not letting us through.”“They can’t protect us,” Reuters quoted one as saying. “The Islamic State came to our villages and killed hundreds. We don’t want to stay in Iraq, they will kill us sooner or later. I want America to help me. The peshmerga are not letting us through.”
Some Yazidi men have been training with Kurdish fighters in camps on the Iraq-Syria border, in order to join the fight against Isis.Some Yazidi men have been training with Kurdish fighters in camps on the Iraq-Syria border, in order to join the fight against Isis.