He sends letter to Iran , stressing dam 's strategic importance . ISIS wants to keep the dam working , CNN analyst says . Peshmerga spokesman : U.S. President Barack Obama ordered targeted airstrikes to protect U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq and prevent a potential genocide of ethnic and religious minority groups by ISIS . Forces have retaken one side of the dam . Smoke rises from the dam , and buildings are ablaze in the battle to protect it .
He sends letter to Iran , stressing dam 's strategic importance . ISIS wants to keep the dam working , CNN analyst says . Peshmerga spokesman : Forces have retaken one side of the dam . Smoke rises from the dam , and buildings are ablaze in the battle to protect it .