US military conducts airstrikes near Mosul Dam, Irbil

Washington: The US military has conducted air strikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) near Irbil and Iraq's largest dam in an effort to help Kurdish forces retake it from violent extremists.

American fighter and remotely piloted aircraft successfully conducted airstrikes near Irbil and the Mosul Dam, the Pentagon said yesterday.

These strikes were carried out under the authority to support humanitarian efforts in Iraq, as well as to protect US personnel and facilities, it added.

"The nine airstrikes conducted thus far destroyed or damaged four armored personnel carriers, seven armed vehicles, two Humvees and an armored vehicle," the US Central Command said adding that all aircraft exited the strike areas safely.