DHAKA: The US is carrying out a series of air strikes on Islamic State militants close to the vital Haditha dam in western Iraq.

US officials say, reports the BBC.

The strikes are to protect the Iraqi forces and Sunni tribesmen in control of the dam.

The US has carried out scores of air strikes to support Iraqi and Kurdish forces as they try to halt the advance of the militants in the north and west.

Earlier, Kurdish forces retook the strategically important Mount Zarta.

Islamic State fighters have targeted a number of dams in their offensive, capturing the facility at Fallujah and battling for the largest dam at Mosul.

The group has so far failed in its attempts to capture Haditha dam in western Anbar province.

It is Iraq’s second largest dam.

BDST: 1253 HRS, SEP 07, 2014