WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military says it launched five more airstrikes in support of Iraqi government troops and Sunni tribesmen protecting the Haditha Dam against fighters of the Islamic State group that controls parts of northern and western Iraq.

Central Command says that a combination of U.S. attack, fighter and drone aircraft destroyed or damaged eight armed vehicles, two of which were transporting anti-aircraft artillery near the dam. It says six other vehicles also were struck.

The attacks were carried out overnight Monday into Tuesday morning.

The U.S. has conducted 153 airstrikes in Iraq since Aug. 8. It began attacking Islamic State forces near the Haditha Dam last weekend, citing it as a strategic target that could not be allowed to fall into the extremists’ hands.

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