U.N. to investigate human rights abuses allegedly committed by ISIS

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The United Nations Human Rights Council said Monday they will send a special mission to Iraq to investigate human rights abuses and war crimes allegedly committed by ISIS.

Though the people of Iraq have been exposed to violence and unrest for more than a decade, the situation has gotten worse in recent months as fighters for ISIS, which refers to itself as the Islamic State, seized sections of the country, said Flavia Pansieri, the U.N. deputy high commissioner for human rights.

"The effect of the ongoing conflict on the children of Iraq has been catastrophic," she said during an emergency session in Geneva. "Many have become direct victims of the conflict, while others have been subjected to physical and sexual abuse, whose scars may remain with them throughout their lives."

Mosques, shrines and other religious sites have been destroyed and members of different ethnic and religious groups have been persecuted, she said.

"The international community must intensify its efforts to protect all Iraqis, including ethnic and religious communities and those who are particularly vulnerable," Pansieri said.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command reported three three air strikes on Sunday and Monday in Iraq near the Mosul Dam.

The airstrikes destroyed three ISIS trucks, severely damaged another, destroyed an ISIS armed vehicle and destroyed a mortar position, the U.S. Central Command said.