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updated 10:15 AM EDT, Sun September 7, 2014
Source: CNN
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- U.S. says it carried out the airstrikes near Haditha Dam at the request of Iraq
- Failure of the dam would affect millions of people who depend on it for their water
- Earlier this year, ISIS fighters opened the gates of Falluja Dam and flooded villages
It carried out the airstrikes near Haditha Dam at the request of Iraq, according to Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary.
If the terror group seized the dam -- the second-largest in the country -- it would prove catastrophic. It provides water to millions of people in western and southern Iraq.
The U.S. also fears the militants could use the water to flood villages and seize control of the nation's lucrative electricity industry.
"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," Kirby said.
Fighter and bomber aircraft carried out four airstrikes that destroyed ISIS positions and equipment, including Humvees, a checkpoint and a bunker, U.S. officials said.
Numerous attempts to seize Haditha
Much of the western province of Anbar is under the control of ISIS, but the city of Haditha and its dam have remained in Iraqi forces' hands despite numerous attempts by the militants to seize them, said Faleh al-Issawi, a top provincial official.
Militants are using parts of the province to launch mortar and other attacks on Haditha, and local officials are concerned they will hit the dam and cause massive flooding.
Al-Issawi said the U.S. military's assistance provided much-needed air cover to facilitate the ground movement of Iraqi troops.
Dams as war weapons
ISIS fighters have sought to turn Iraq's dams into weapons.
The group, whose acronym stands for Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, now refers to itself as the Islamic State.
A Kurdish fighter eyes ISIS positions outside Makhmour, Iraq, on Saturday, September 6. Iraqi forces, aided by U.S. military airstrikes, have begun to make gains against terror group ISIS, which calls itself the Islamic State.
Iraqis on Friday, September 5, exhume the remains of bodies from a mass grave found after Iraqi Kurdish forces and Shiite militiamen retook the town of Sulaiman Bek from jihadists.
Iraqis on Friday, September 5, exhume the remains of bodies from a mass grave found after Iraqi Kurdish forces and Shiite militiamen retook the town of Sulaiman Bek from jihadists.
Iraqi Shiite militia fighters fire a rocket toward ISIS positions outside Tikrit, Iraq, on Wednesday, September 3.
Iraqi Shiite militia fighters fire a rocket toward ISIS positions outside Tikrit, Iraq, on Wednesday, September 3.
An Iraqi fighter jet flies over Amerli, Iraq, on September 3. Iraqi forces recently broke the terrorist siege of Amerli from ISIS fighters.
An Iraqi fighter jet flies over Amerli, Iraq, on September 3. Iraqi forces recently broke the terrorist siege of Amerli from ISIS fighters.
Iraqi volunteer fighters on Monday, September 1, celebrate breaking the siege of the Shiite town of Amerli. ISIS militants had surrounded Amerli, 70 miles north of Baquba, since mid-June.
Iraqi volunteer fighters on Monday, September 1, celebrate breaking the siege of the Shiite town of Amerli. ISIS militants had surrounded Amerli, 70 miles north of Baquba, since mid-June.
Iraqi Shiite Turkmen, mostly women and children, try to board an Iraqi Army helicopter aid flight bringing supplies to Amerli on Saturday, August 30.
Iraqi Shiite Turkmen, mostly women and children, try to board an Iraqi Army helicopter aid flight bringing supplies to Amerli on Saturday, August 30.
Kurdish Peshmerga forces stand guard at their position in the Omar Khaled village west of Mosul, Iraq, on Sunday, August 24.
Kurdish Peshmerga forces stand guard at their position in the Omar Khaled village west of Mosul, Iraq, on Sunday, August 24.
Kurdish Peshmergas fight to regain control of the town of Celavle in Iraq's Diyala province on August 24.
Kurdish Peshmergas fight to regain control of the town of Celavle in Iraq's Diyala province on August 24.
Peshmerga fighters stand guard at Mosul Dam in northern Iraq on Thursday, August 21. With the help of U.S. military airstrikes, Kurdish and Iraqi forces retook the dam from ISIS militants on August 18. A breach of the dam would have been catastrophic for millions of Iraqis who live downstream from it.
Peshmerga fighters stand guard at Mosul Dam in northern Iraq on Thursday, August 21. With the help of U.S. military airstrikes, Kurdish and Iraqi forces retook the dam from ISIS militants on August 18. A breach of the dam would have been catastrophic for millions of Iraqis who live downstream from it.
Displaced Iraqis receive clothes from a charity at a refugee camp near Feeshkhabour, Iraq, on Tuesday, August 19.
Displaced Iraqis receive clothes from a charity at a refugee camp near Feeshkhabour, Iraq, on Tuesday, August 19.
A woman holds her sister during a sandstorm at a refugee camp in Feeshkhabour on August 19.
A woman holds her sister during a sandstorm at a refugee camp in Feeshkhabour on August 19.
A fighter with Kurdish Peshmerga forces battles ISIS militants near Mosul, Iraq, on Monday, August 18.
A fighter with Kurdish Peshmerga forces battles ISIS militants near Mosul, Iraq, on Monday, August 18.
A Shiite fighter defends a post while backing the Iraqi army in its fight against ISIS militants south of Baghdad on August 18.
A Shiite fighter defends a post while backing the Iraqi army in its fight against ISIS militants south of Baghdad on August 18.
A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter patrols near the Mosul Dam in Chamibarakat, Iraq, on Sunday, August 17.
A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter patrols near the Mosul Dam in Chamibarakat, Iraq, on Sunday, August 17.
Smoke rises after a U.S. airstrike near the Mosul Dam on August 17.
Smoke rises after a U.S. airstrike near the Mosul Dam on August 17.
A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter prepares his weapon August 17 at a combat position near the Mosul Dam.
A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter prepares his weapon August 17 at a combat position near the Mosul Dam.
Trucks carrying Kurdish Peshmerga fighters head to the Mosul Dam on August 17.
Trucks carrying Kurdish Peshmerga fighters head to the Mosul Dam on August 17.
From a position manned by the Kurdish Peshmerga south of Kirkuk, Iraq, Kirkuk Governor Najm al-Din Omar looks through binoculars toward Islamist jihadist positions on August 17.
From a position manned by the Kurdish Peshmerga south of Kirkuk, Iraq, Kirkuk Governor Najm al-Din Omar looks through binoculars toward Islamist jihadist positions on August 17.
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters stand behind a sand barricade set up close to the village of Bashir, Iraq, on August 17.
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters stand behind a sand barricade set up close to the village of Bashir, Iraq, on August 17.
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters fire at ISIS in Khazar, Iraq, on Thursday, August 14.
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters fire at ISIS in Khazar, Iraq, on Thursday, August 14.
Volunteers of the Iraqi Red Crescent Society unload boxes of goods before distributing them August 14 to families who fled from ISIS.
Volunteers of the Iraqi Red Crescent Society unload boxes of goods before distributing them August 14 to families who fled from ISIS.
Displaced Iraqis of the Yazidi faith reach for bottled water at the Bajid Kandala refugee camp in Iraq's Dohuk province on Wednesday, August 13.
Displaced Iraqis of the Yazidi faith reach for bottled water at the Bajid Kandala refugee camp in Iraq's Dohuk province on Wednesday, August 13.
A Yazidi woman and children take shelter inside a tent at the Bajid Kandala camp on August 13.
A Yazidi woman and children take shelter inside a tent at the Bajid Kandala camp on August 13.
From the flight deck of the USS George H.W. Bush, which is in the Persian Gulf, two U.S. fighter jets take off for a mission in Iraq on Monday, August 11. U.S. President Barack Obama has authorized airstrikes against Islamic militants and food drops for Iraqis who are trapped by the militants.
From the flight deck of the USS George H.W. Bush, which is in the Persian Gulf, two U.S. fighter jets take off for a mission in Iraq on Monday, August 11. U.S. President Barack Obama has authorized airstrikes against Islamic militants and food drops for Iraqis who are trapped by the militants.
Displaced Iraqis of the Yazidi faith cross the Syria-Iraq border on Sunday, August 10.
Displaced Iraqis of the Yazidi faith cross the Syria-Iraq border on Sunday, August 10.
Iraqi soldiers fan out into a field in Jurf al Sakhr, Iraq, on August 10 after they reportedly pushed back Islamic jihadist fighters from the area.
Iraqi soldiers fan out into a field in Jurf al Sakhr, Iraq, on August 10 after they reportedly pushed back Islamic jihadist fighters from the area.
An Iraqi man inspects the debris of houses in Falluja, Iraq, after an apparent air raid by the Iraqi Air Force on August 10.
An Iraqi man inspects the debris of houses in Falluja, Iraq, after an apparent air raid by the Iraqi Air Force on August 10.
An F/A-18C Hornet lands on the flight deck of the USS George H.W. Bush on August 10.
An F/A-18C Hornet lands on the flight deck of the USS George H.W. Bush on August 10.
An Iraqi Yazidi child, whose family fled their home a week ago when ISIS militants attacked their town, looks on at a makeshift shelter August 10 in Dohuk, which is in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region.
An Iraqi Yazidi child, whose family fled their home a week ago when ISIS militants attacked their town, looks on at a makeshift shelter August 10 in Dohuk, which is in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region.
Displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community settle outside the Bajid Kandala camp on Saturday, August 9.
Displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community settle outside the Bajid Kandala camp on Saturday, August 9.
Displaced Iraqis ride on a truck on a mountain road near the Turkish-Iraq border, outside Dahuk, on August 9.
Displaced Iraqis ride on a truck on a mountain road near the Turkish-Iraq border, outside Dahuk, on August 9.
Thousands of Yazidis are escorted to safety by Kurdish Peshmerga forces and a People's Protection Unit in Mosul on August 9.
Thousands of Yazidis are escorted to safety by Kurdish Peshmerga forces and a People's Protection Unit in Mosul on August 9.
Humanitarian aid for Iraq is loaded onto an aircraft in Norton, England, on Friday, August 8.
Humanitarian aid for Iraq is loaded onto an aircraft in Norton, England, on Friday, August 8.
Pallets of bottled water are loaded aboard a U.S. Air Force aircraft in preparation for a humanitarian airdrop over Iraq on August 8.
Pallets of bottled water are loaded aboard a U.S. Air Force aircraft in preparation for a humanitarian airdrop over Iraq on August 8.
Smoke rises after airstrikes targeted ISIS militants outside the Iraqi city of Irbil on Friday, August 8.
Smoke rises after airstrikes targeted ISIS militants outside the Iraqi city of Irbil on Friday, August 8.
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters take position on the front line on August 8.
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters take position on the front line on August 8.
Displaced Iraqi Christians settle at St. Joseph Church in Irbil on Thursday, August 7.
Displaced Iraqi Christians settle at St. Joseph Church in Irbil on Thursday, August 7.
Iraqi Shiite volunteers who have joined government forces to fight ISIS take part in a training session near Basra, Iraq, on August 7.
Iraqi Shiite volunteers who have joined government forces to fight ISIS take part in a training session near Basra, Iraq, on August 7.
Thousands of Yazidi and Christian people flee Mosul on Wednesday, August 6, after the latest wave of ISIS advances.
Thousands of Yazidi and Christian people flee Mosul on Wednesday, August 6, after the latest wave of ISIS advances.
Kurdish Peshmerga forces and members of the Syrian People's Protection Units engage ISIS members in the Mahmudiye village of Mosul on Tuesday, August 5.
Kurdish Peshmerga forces and members of the Syrian People's Protection Units engage ISIS members in the Mahmudiye village of Mosul on Tuesday, August 5.
Yazidi women who fled violence in Sinjar, Iraq, take shelter at a school in Dohuk on August 5.
Yazidi women who fled violence in Sinjar, Iraq, take shelter at a school in Dohuk on August 5.
People in Mosul walk on the rubble of the destroyed Mosque of The Prophet Yunus, which is Arabic for Jonah, on Thursday, July 24.
People in Mosul walk on the rubble of the destroyed Mosque of The Prophet Yunus, which is Arabic for Jonah, on Thursday, July 24.
An Iraqi child walks through a displacement camp Saturday, June 28, in Khazair, Iraq.
An Iraqi child walks through a displacement camp Saturday, June 28, in Khazair, Iraq.
An Iraqi woman walks with her child outside of a displacement camp June 28 in Khazair.
An Iraqi woman walks with her child outside of a displacement camp June 28 in Khazair.
Peshmerga fighters check cars at the entrance of a temporary displacement camp in Khazair on Thursday, June 26.
Peshmerga fighters check cars at the entrance of a temporary displacement camp in Khazair on Thursday, June 26.
A group of women wait outside the temporary displacement camp in Khazair on June 26.
A group of women wait outside the temporary displacement camp in Khazair on June 26.
Smoke rises in the Karakus district of Mosul as clashes between Iraqi forces and ISIS militants take place on June 26.
Smoke rises in the Karakus district of Mosul as clashes between Iraqi forces and ISIS militants take place on June 26.
Food is handed out at the displacement camp in Khazair.
Food is handed out at the displacement camp in Khazair.
A child walks over discarded water bottles and trash at a registration area in the displacement camp in Khazair on June 26.
A child walks over discarded water bottles and trash at a registration area in the displacement camp in Khazair on June 26.
Kurdish Peshmerga take their positions behind a wall on the front line of the conflict with ISIS militants in Tuz Khormato, Iraq, on Wednesday, June 25.
Kurdish Peshmerga take their positions behind a wall on the front line of the conflict with ISIS militants in Tuz Khormato, Iraq, on Wednesday, June 25.
Peshmerga fighters clean their weapons at a base in Tuz Khormato on June 25.
Peshmerga fighters clean their weapons at a base in Tuz Khormato on June 25.
Female Peshmerga between 18 and 45 years old form a special unit that is called to serve in any conditions. A soldier is pictured here on June 25.
Female Peshmerga between 18 and 45 years old form a special unit that is called to serve in any conditions. A soldier is pictured here on June 25.
A woman gathers bread in a temporary displacement camp for Iraqis on Tuesday, June 24.
A woman gathers bread in a temporary displacement camp for Iraqis on Tuesday, June 24.
An ISIS fighter takes control of a traffic intersection in Mosul on Sunday, June 22.
An ISIS fighter takes control of a traffic intersection in Mosul on Sunday, June 22.
An ISIS member distributes a copy of the Quran, Islam's holy book, to a driver in Mosul on June 22.
An ISIS member distributes a copy of the Quran, Islam's holy book, to a driver in Mosul on June 22.
Members of ISIS patrol in Falluja on Saturday, June 21.
Members of ISIS patrol in Falluja on Saturday, June 21.
"Peace Brigade" volunteers raise their weapons and chant slogans during a parade in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City on Saturday, June 21, in Baghdad. The armed group was formed to protect Shiite holy shrines against possible attacks by Sunni militants.
"Peace Brigade" volunteers raise their weapons and chant slogans during a parade in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City on Saturday, June 21, in Baghdad. The armed group was formed to protect Shiite holy shrines against possible attacks by Sunni militants.
Iraqi men register to fight alongside security forces Friday, June 20, at a recruitment center in Baghdad.
Iraqi men register to fight alongside security forces Friday, June 20, at a recruitment center in Baghdad.
New army recruits gather in Najaf, Iraq, on Wednesday, June 18, following a call for Iraqis to take up arms against Islamic militant fighters.
New army recruits gather in Najaf, Iraq, on Wednesday, June 18, following a call for Iraqis to take up arms against Islamic militant fighters.
Soldiers with an Iraqi anti-terrorism unit are on guard June 18 in Baghdad.
Soldiers with an Iraqi anti-terrorism unit are on guard June 18 in Baghdad.
A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter injured in clashes with ISIS lies in a hospital in Irbil on June 18.
A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter injured in clashes with ISIS lies in a hospital in Irbil on June 18.
An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter lands on the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, June 17.
An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter lands on the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, June 17.
Newly recruited Iraqi volunteer fighters take part in a training session in Karbala, Iraq, on June 17.
Newly recruited Iraqi volunteer fighters take part in a training session in Karbala, Iraq, on June 17.
Iraqi tribesmen gather in Baghdad on Monday, June 16, to show their readiness to join Iraqi security forces in the fight against Islamic militants.
Iraqi tribesmen gather in Baghdad on Monday, June 16, to show their readiness to join Iraqi security forces in the fight against Islamic militants.
Iraqi Christian children gather inside the Church of the Virgin Mary for prayers in Bartala, Iraq, a town near Mosul, on Sunday, June 15.
Iraqi Christian children gather inside the Church of the Virgin Mary for prayers in Bartala, Iraq, a town near Mosul, on Sunday, June 15.
Shiite tribal fighters raise their weapons and chant slogans against ISIS in Basra on June 15.
Shiite tribal fighters raise their weapons and chant slogans against ISIS in Basra on June 15.
Members of ISIS prepare to execute some soldiers from Iraq's security forces in this image, one of many reportedly posted by the militant group online. CNN cannot independently confirm the authenticity of the images.
Members of ISIS prepare to execute some soldiers from Iraq's security forces in this image, one of many reportedly posted by the militant group online. CNN cannot independently confirm the authenticity of the images.
A woman cradles her baby Thursday, June 12, at a temporary camp set up in Aski Kalak, Iraq, to shelter those fleeing the violence in northern Nineveh province.
A woman cradles her baby Thursday, June 12, at a temporary camp set up in Aski Kalak, Iraq, to shelter those fleeing the violence in northern Nineveh province.
A girl fleeing from Mosul arrives at a Kurdish checkpoint on June 12.
A girl fleeing from Mosul arrives at a Kurdish checkpoint on June 12.
Iraqi men chant slogans outside of an army recruiting center to volunteer for military service June 12 in Baghdad.
Iraqi men chant slogans outside of an army recruiting center to volunteer for military service June 12 in Baghdad.
Kurdish Peshmerga forces, along with Iraqi special forces, deploy their troops and armored vehicles outside of Kirkuk, Iraq, on June 12.
Kurdish Peshmerga forces, along with Iraqi special forces, deploy their troops and armored vehicles outside of Kirkuk, Iraq, on June 12.
Children stand next to a burnt vehicle during clashes between Iraqi security forces and ISIS militants in Mosul on Tuesday, June 10.
Children stand next to a burnt vehicle during clashes between Iraqi security forces and ISIS militants in Mosul on Tuesday, June 10.
Civilians from Mosul escape to a refugee camp near Irbil on June 10.
Civilians from Mosul escape to a refugee camp near Irbil on June 10.
Iraqis fleeing the violence wait in their vehicles at a Kurdish checkpoint in Aski Kalak on June 10.
Iraqis fleeing the violence wait in their vehicles at a Kurdish checkpoint in Aski Kalak on June 10.
Iraq under siege
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Photos: Iraq under siege 
U.S. strikes ISIS near key dam 
See brutal anti-ISIS video 
Obama calls for anti-ISIS NATO coalition 
Regional reactions to ISIS brutality
Earlier this year, ISIS fighters opened the gates of Falluja Dam in an effort to stop an Iraqi military advance. Water from the dam flooded various villages.
U.S. forces have kept an eye on Haditha Dam on the Euphrates River, where Iraqi troops held off an ISIS assault last month. The Pentagon said operations will continue to ensure Iraqi forces maintain control of the dam.
"Potential loss of control of the dam or a catastrophic failure of the dam -- and the flooding that might result -- would have threatened U.S. personnel and facilities in and around Baghdad," Kirby said in a statement.
Recapture of largest dam
Last month, U.S. airstrikes helped Kurdish and Iraqi forces recapture Mosul Dam from ISIS.
A breach of that dam, the largest in Iraq, would have endangered Iraqis who live downstream and the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad, U.S. President Barack Obama said at the time.
If it gave way, it would send walls of water racing down the Tigris River toward Mosul and its 1.7 million inhabitants. Massive flooding would affect major cities farther downstream, including Baghdad.
Mosul Dam had been the center of an intense battle between the ISIS extremists and Kurdish forces. The U.S. military used air support to help Kurdish forces, including fighters, bombers and unmanned aircraft.
ISIS militants have killed thousands of Syrians and Iraqis as the Sunni extremist group seeks to build an Islamic caliphate stretching across a swath of territory.
The militants have executed two American journalists in recent weeks, slayings analysts describe as a propaganda tool.
CNN's Jomana Karadsheh reported from Baghdad, and Faith Karimi reported and wrote from Atlanta. CNN's Jethro Mullen, Joe Sutton and Tom Dunlavey contributed to this report .
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