The Pentagon says a new round of 15 U.S. airstrikes near the Mosul dam in northern Iraq were justified because the dam's failure could trigger a humanitarian disaster.
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A Pentagon spokesman, Col. Steve Warren, said Monday the U.S. had no indication of the dam's imminent failure, but the airstrikes were part of a broader U.S. mission to help protect Iraq's critical infrastructure. The dam was captured by the Islamic State group earlier this month.
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Warren said it is too early to say that Iraqi forces have recaptured the dam, which is located north of Mosul, the largest city in northern Iraq.
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U.S. Central Command said U.S. fighters, bombers and drones conducted 15 strikes Monday near the dam. That is in addition to 16 airstrikes on Sunday and nine on Saturday.  (AP)
