Im george howell. And im natalie allen. We are following reports that a military operation is under way to retake the hydroelectric dam from isis militants. Cnn confirmed it is a combined u. S. iraqi combat near mosul. The Kurdish News Agency reports an american and iraq warplanes began hours ago bombing strongholds near the dam which blocks the tigris river north of the city. Isis captured that earlier this month and told iraqi and Peshmerga Forces plan to follow up air strikes with a ground assault. Joining us now from baghdad cnns jomana. Reporter well, george, what we know from reports from the Kurdish News Agency and also cnn has confirmed u. S. Just bombed isis positions in four areas near the dam. The dam is about 13 miles or so north of the city of mosul. We are also hearing reports that they struck locations, other locations in the area including irbil and theyve made gains since june. It was taken over since fighting with kurdish and iraqi forces earl jury this month they were taken over by isis. A very dangerous development. This is key and the very thing is, in the hands of Extremist Group like isis that would have control over the floodgates of this dam and it could be disastrous leaving it in their hands, but, of course, the big concern here is were waiting here, the position here so far, what we have seen the u. S. Do, the u. S. Administration position saying its not going to be dragged into a war again back into iraq, what we have seen so far the u. S. With limited strikes over the past week stopping isis advance towards irbil where it was protecting u. S. Facilities and u. S. Personnel bases there and also stopping breaking that siege over the mountain of sinjar where minorities are under siege by isis this. Is the first time we are seeing what seems to be an offensive trying to retake the dam and in coordination with troops on the dpourndz so we will wait to hear more from the u. S. About this latest major development. Jomana, this is a critical structure in iraq but could you talk to us about what could happen if this is not maintained. Certainly its important for people. It provides water. It provides power for millions. But if its not maintained ive read reports it could be a ticking time bomb. Theres a lot of concern about the devastating effect if, you know, this is this is being named the biggest hydroelectric dam in the country. Its very close to the city of mosul. A city of 1. 5 million people. So its very dangerous having it in the hands of an Extremist Group rather than the engineers and the people who maintain this dam. The biggest risk it can be used by them to open the floodgates and use it as a weapon and, you know, ive seen reports the waters of this dam could reach baghdad, not at the levels we would see in mosul but very dangerous to have it in the hands of isis and its very important for iraq to regain control of a Key Installation like this. Cnns jmana karadheh. Powerful leaders will may be willing to cooperate with the new designate. The Political Part of this story thats unfolding but tribal and clearal heads say Hader Al Abadi must do what Prime MinisterNuri Al Maliki failed to do, respect the rights of iraqs sunni minority. As for whether they would join the fight against isis one tribal leader say they would have to wait and see if mr. Hader al abadi can match his words with his deeds. Listen. Joining me is a middle east expert at the American University of bay root. Than thanks for joining us. Reports of air strikes to try to take back this dam from isis. Followed by a ground assault. Whats your reaction to this development . Pretty inevitable. Im surprise it had didnt happen before. I think everybody is learning the lesson of leaving these islamist militant Extremist Groups to develop and grow on their own over months and years as happened early in iraq after the American Invasion and then laettner syria so people are reacting much more coherently and the battles, the fighting and military action on the ground has to be connected with the two or three other component, the new government in iraq trying to redefine kurdish and nonkurdish iraqi relationships and the action at the Security Council yesterday, the action to take measures against people funding the islamist state so four or five things happening simultaneously which are all positive developments. The american air power being used is a dangerous element that hopefully will be limited. Very short period of time just to give time for the iraqis and others to take the lead in the fighting but it seems to be inevitable. I mean it had to happen because otherwise the iraqis could not stop the Islamic State and hopefully the American Military involvement will be shortlived. Why do you think it has taken this long to kind of ramp up on this situation in iraq where these isis militants have had plenty of time to coordinate their run on the country . I think its mainly because you had a pretty dysfunctional government in iraq. There was not an expectation abroad around the region and around the world that this Islamic State would grow so quickly and take control of so many physical and other material assets. People kind of assumed that this is a local problem, first it was in northeastern syria and this it spread back foo iraq and started in iraq about five, seven years ago but people always thought it would be a selfcontained problem but then it got scarier to a lot of people and the Iraqi Government which should take the lead couldnt do so and thats why i think things took so long. Well, well wait to see if this new leader can unify the country. You know, weve had libya and egypt and syria all implode in the past few years and now its happening to iraq. Is iraq any kind of special case . Is there anything particular that makes it more of a daunting task for iraq to unify . Well, every arab country is facing similar challenges of constitutional reform, inclusive governance, pluralistic democratic systems of rule of some sort. Iraq is a little bit different in the sense that it has a large kurdish minority and the curds are a distinct nation. Theyre not arabs. They have their own language. They have their own culture, their own tradition and very clearly defined territory. So thats one of the things that makes iraq different say than a place ike egypt or libya where most of the people may belong to different tribes or religious groups but dont have a clear National Identity thats separate from the rest of the country but despite that i think the majority of iraqis and curds probably want to keep some kind of association and loose federated state perhaps. I think the curds now are realizing with this military threat how critical it is to be linked to the bigger country of iraq. The other thing about iraq is that it was its been at war for about 20, 25 years with its neighbors with iran, its been invaded by americans and british and other people, arab forces several times. It was the state was completely wiped out in 2003 when the americanled inseason happened so there are several elements that are distinct in iraq but the bottom line is that its really iraq is a microcosm of all the challenges and problems but also the potential, the great Human Potential of the arab world to get the business of statehood and political governance right. Well, theyve got a big road ahead of them for sure. Thanks so much for joining us. More on this ahead. He was mentioning the curds and they have been under siege in this. In the next half hour well visit one of the largest refugee camps in syria. In Northern Nigeria villagers are reporting another mass kidnapping from boca ha ran and kidnapped 97 boys. 28 people were killed. 25 wounded and dozens of homes were burned. The raid happened monday but its only getting out now because boko ha ram destroyed local cell phone towers. More than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by boko ha ram in april still missing. Anger in ferguson in the u. S. Why this Surveillance Video is spewing outrage over a Police OfficersFatal Shooting of an unarmed teenager. What pope francis is doing on the third day of his historic visit to south korea. A live report from seoul. [ female announcer ] we help make secure financial tomorrows a reality for over 19 million people. [ mom ] with life insurance, were not just insuring our lives. Were helping protect his. [ female announcer ] everyone has a moment when tomorrow becomes real. Transamerica. Transform tomorrow. Amam rich. Transamerica. My Social Circle includes captains of industry, former secretaries of state, oil tycoons, and ambassadors of countries known for their fine cheeses. Yes i am rich. Thats why i drink the champagne of beers. Narrator these are the skater kid whoa narrator that got torture tested by teenagers and cried out for help. From the surprised designers. Who came to the rescue with a brilliant fix male designer i love it narrator which created thousands of new customers for the tennis shoes that got torture tested by teenagers. The internet of everything is changing manufacturing. Is your Network Ready . Take a look at this video from seoul, south korea and one of the key events, pope francis beatified 124 korean catholics who were martyred during the early days of the Catholic Church in korea. He is making his first visit to the country also a first by a pope in 25 years. Live to Paula Hancocks with the popes visit. Certainly an important trip for the pope when it comes to reaching out to young people, yes . Reporter thats right, george. He certainly wanted to connect with the young people. The main reason he came here is to attend the asian youth day. The number of catholics in south korea still fairly small, about 10 , just over of the population but its growing very fast and it is a young church and across asia youre seeing a lot of young people coming to jump, as well, which is very important for the catholic faith. They realize there is an area of growth in this continent. We saw hundreds of thousands of people coming to downtown seoul a little earlier this saturday to hear a mass by pope francis. He drove up the main street here to great cheers and applause and at one point he did also stop in front of one of the families, the father of one child who was killed in that recent ferry sinking back in april in south korea, more than 300 people mainly schoolchildren killed there and was given a letter by that father which he put in his pocket. Hes also on occasion been wearing a Yellow Ribbon to show his sympathy. Hes had a great reception in south korea over the past couple of days here. Dubbed the rock star pop due to his popularity the catholic youth of asia could not agree more. Break ago way from his prepared speech he delighted the young crowd. Are you ready to sayy are you red did . This is why pope francis came to south korea. Only about 10 of the population is catholic but the church is growing fast. And across asia the congregation is young. Surround himself with asian youth there was, of course, the inevitable selfie which the won tiff didnt seem to mind. His transport from the airport a kia hatchback. It had to be south korea. The next day another modify ied into a popemobile although the wind made it tricky. Welcome. Reporter he offered sympathy and hope for the parents of schoolchildren killed in the ferry sinking and for those who survived. Pope francis is making speeches in inc. Dwlish on this trip for the first time. Officials say hes been practicing so he can reach more people. He called for peace and reunification for the two koreas. Korea for peace is close to our hearts. Reporter this afternoon the pope is heading south of seoul to a Rehabilitation Center for the disabled. Also meeting some of the laymen there in that particular area and then, of course, we have another big mass coming up on monday which will be back in seoul. George. Paula joining us live in seoul, we appreciate your reporting, paula. The Police Released the name of an officer who shot and killed an unarmed africanamerican teenageer. Yes, coming up why that announcement has done little to reduce the anger of those protesting Michael Browns death. Plus, fierce fighting in Eastern Ukraine as Government Forces say they destroyed a Russian Military convoy. Find out what the russians have to say next. Female narrator the mattress price wars are on the mattress price wars are on at sleep train. We challenged the manufacturers to offer even lower prices. Now its posturepedic versus beautyrest with big savings of up to 400 off. Serta icomfort and tempurpedic go headtohead with three years interestfree financing. Plus, free sameday delivery, setup, and removal of your old set. When brands compete, you save. Mattress price wars are on now at sleep train. Your ticket to a better nights sleep welcome back. Outrage continues in missouri. You have been covering it, george. Right after police hours ago released new information surround the shooting death of an unarmed africanamerican teenager. Demonstrators packed into the streets of the town of ferguson on friday stoking renewed anger, the release of Surveillance Video allegedly showing 18yearold Michael Brown committing a robbery minutes before he was shot. Protesters say that video is an attempt to smear the teens character. Yeah, browns family and friends say he was shot in cold blood. Police say he was killed during a struggle for an officers gun. That officer was identified at the same time the Surveillance Video was released. Cnns ed lavendera has more. Reporter the Ferguson Police chief says this video shows Michael Brown engaged in a strongarm robbery moments before he was shot and killed. Police say brown stole a 49 box of swisher sweet cigars and when the store clerk confronted him police say brown shoved the man into a display rack and walked out. Further description, more detail was given over the radio. Ferguson police chief tom jackson released that the same time he announced Darren Wilson was the officer who killed him leaving the impression that the robbery and shooting were related. The chiefs announcement instant liangered ferguson residents. Head hands up. Why didnt we hear about it until now . They had to get their story together. I cannot believe this is the tactic that this police chief and his administration are using to try to make this young manage be gee serving, to be gunned down in the street like a dog. This is crazy. Reporter a few hours later the chief said the confrontation between Michael Brown and officer wilson had nothing to do with the robbery. Because they were walking down the middle of the street blocking traffic. That was it. Darren wilson has worked as a Police Officer for six years, four years with the Ferguson Police department. Hes described as a gentle quiet and distinguished officer. But the department refuses to release his picture. Darren wilson lives here on this street in another st. Louis suburb about 25 miles away from the town of ferguson. Many neighbors are reluctant to talk about him but they say since last weekends shooting theyve seen a great deal of Police Activity here in the nablg and several neighbors also say Darren Wilson left here several days ago. Jake shepperd went to high school and played hockey with Darren Wilson. He described the officer as a quiet guy. I can say without speaking to darren without even having heard his statements that at that moment in time he was scared for his life. I am 100 positive of that because i could never imagine him even in that situation taking someones life let alone taking someones life with malicious intent, you know. Hes just the last person on earth you would think to do Something Like that. Reporter officer wilson now has an attorney and a Law Enforcement source tells cnn wilson has been interviewed twice by detectives once right after the shooting and a second more indepth interview later but the release of the officers name has done little to calm the anger over Michael Browns death. All we want is the truth. Thats all any person wants. If it was your child wouldnt you want the truth . Reporter ed lavendera, cnn. Another big story in the United States, the governor of texas now in trouble with the law. Rick perry was indicted on friday by a county grand jury. The charges relate to his efforts to try to force a local prosecutor to resign. Governor perry is a former and possibly future Republican Party president ial candidate. His Attorney Says his actions were legal under the texas state constitution and he says perry will prevail in court. Turning to weather, heavy rains continue for east asia this weekend. Meteorologist ivan cabrera is following that and it seems like that has been the weather story for some time. The spigot is on and it is stuck and need to turn it off. It is getting serious and torrential downpours as a result of three typhoons and