Posted on 09/07/2014 12:50:26 AM PDT by GonzoII
The U.S. has launched fresh airstrikes against the Islamic State militant group, also known as ISIS, in an effort to keep the Haditha Dam in western Iraq in the hands of that country's army.
Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby confirmed the airstrikes in a statement issued early Sunday, saying that the strikes destroyed five Humvees, an armed vehicle, and a checkpoint. The strikes also damaged a militant bunker. Kirby also said that the U.S. had carried out one airstrike that destroyed an ISIS humvee at the crucial Mosul Dam in northern Iraq.
Sunday's strikes bring the total number conducted by U.S. Central Command to 138 since operations began August 8.
"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," said Kirby, who was traveling with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in the former Soviet republic of Georgia Sunday. Hagel's visit comes on the heels of the just-concluded NATO summit in Wales.
Last month Islamic State fighters were battling to capture the Haditha Dam, which has six power generators located alongside Iraq's second-largest reservoir. But, despite their attacks, Iraqi forces there backed up by local Sunni tribes have been able to hold them off.
The group was able to take control of the Mosul Dam in northern Iraq last month, but persistent U.S. airstrikes dislodged the militants. And while fighters have been trying to take it back, the U.S. has continued to use strikes to keep them at bay.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I know that air strikes are not as effective as ground troops in battle but I imagine that at this point in time, with our ongoing technological development and our years of practice, the precision targeting techniques must be awesome.
Maybe Biden will open his mouth about Johnny-come-lately again, so he can claim all the legislative credit.
Where are all the lefties yelling “quagmire?”
“Sunday’s strikes bring the total number conducted by U.S. Central Command to 138 since operations began August 8.”
Doesn’t look like overwhelming force to me.... Probably less flights than Obama & Company flew in and out of Martha’s Vineyard during August.
And the airstrikes were less destructive too.
If this keeps up, the target will become the switchyard rather than the dam. The switch yard is ore vulnerable and can easily be severely damaged
Wow a bunker and six vehicles. And we are bragging about this? How embarrassing.
soetoro sheds a tear....
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