Iraqi and Kurdish forces retook the Mosul Dam in northern Iraq as U.S. warplanes opened fire on the Islamic State stronghold and weaponry in a series of air raids on Monday.

The U.S. military sent fighter jets, bombers and drones to carry out 15 airstrikes. The strikes damaged nine Islamic State positions, a checkpoint, six armed vehicles, a light armoured vehicle, a vehicle-mounted anti-aircraft gun and a large number of improvised explosive devices.

Islamic State insurgents have reportedly planted explosives in the dam’s vicinity. If the dam is destroyed, a massive volume of water could form a moving wall as tall as 18 metres.

The Mosul Dam, the largest in Iraq, has significant strategic value as it is close to two oil fields and a military base.

President Obama said the U.S. intervention in Iraq would not expand into a long-term operation.

Monday’s airstrikes are the biggest offensive since the U.S. announced it would carry out military operations to dislodge Islamic State insurgents from Erbil and free besieged Yazidis from Mount Sinjar.

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