An Iraqi gunner opens fire at possible ISIS targets during a rescue operation by the Iraqi Air Force and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters on Monday, August 11. The dramatic operation at Iraq's Mount Sinjar involved taking supplies to desperate Yazidis and even bringing some aboard a helicopter to make it safely out of the area.
Yazidis rescued from ISIS —
An Iraqi gunner opens fire at possible ISIS targets during a rescue operation by the Iraqi Air Force and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters on Monday, August 11. The dramatic operation at Iraq's Mount Sinjar involved taking supplies to desperate Yazidis and even bringing some aboard a helicopter to make it safely out of the area.
Warzer Jaff for CNN
A CNN crew was on the flight, which took diapers, milk, water and food to the site. Thousands of people have been fleeing from the militant group ISIS, which has <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F06%2F13%2Fworld%2Fgallery%2Firaq-under-siege%2Findex.html">taken over large swaths of northern and western Iraq</a> as it seeks to create an Islamic caliphate that stretches from Syria into Iraq.
Yazidis rescued from ISIS —
A CNN crew was on the flight, which took diapers, milk, water and food to the site. Thousands of people have been fleeing from the militant group ISIS, which has taken over large swaths of northern and western Iraq as it seeks to create an Islamic caliphate that stretches from Syria into Iraq.
Warzer Jaff for CNN
A couple dozen civilians were rescued during the operation. CNN's Ivan Watson, who was on the chopper, described the mission as "heroic."
Yazidis rescued from ISIS —
A couple dozen civilians were rescued during the operation. CNN's Ivan Watson, who was on the chopper, described the mission as "heroic."
Warzer Jaff for CNN
An elderly woman is put on the helicopter.
Yazidis rescued from ISIS —
An elderly woman is put on the helicopter.
Warzer Jaff for CNN
Yazidi people sit on the aircraft with members of the CNN crew.
Yazidis rescued from ISIS —
Yazidi people sit on the aircraft with members of the CNN crew.
Warzer Jaff for CNN
An elderly Yazidi man cries after he was rescued.
Yazidis rescued from ISIS —
An elderly Yazidi man cries after he was rescued.
Warzer Jaff for CNN
A toddler named Helen sits in her mother's lap after being rescued.
Yazidis rescued from ISIS —
A toddler named Helen sits in her mother's lap after being rescued.
Warzer Jaff for CNN
Rescued civilians sit on the helicopter.
Yazidis rescued from ISIS —
Rescued civilians sit on the helicopter.
Warzer Jaff for CNN
Yazidi people arrive safely to the Kurdish territory.
Yazidis rescued from ISIS —
Yazidi people arrive safely to the Kurdish territory.
Warzer Jaff for CNN