U.S. launches airstrikes near Irbil and Mosul Dam

photo A U.S. military plane lands on the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, in the Persian Gulf, on Aug. 11, 2014. U.S. military officials said American fighter aircraft struck and destroyed several vehicles that were part of an Islamic State group convoy moving to attack Kurdish forces defending the northeastern Iraqi city of Irbil.

WASHINGTON - U.S. officials say a mix of fighter planes and remotely piloted aircraft have attacked Islamic State militants near the Iraqi city of Irbil and the Mosul Dam.

In a statement, U.S. Central Command said the airstrikes Saturday were launched under the authority to support humanitarian efforts in Iraq, as well as to protect U.S. personnel and facilities.

Central Command says the nine airstrikes conducted so far had destroyed or damaged four armored personnel carriers, seven armed vehicles, two Humvees and an armored vehicle.

The Islamic State group captured Mosul Dam, in northern Iraq on the Tigris River, earlier this month. It is the nation's largest dam.

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