Iraqi and Kurdish Forces Reclaim Mosul Dam
- Carrie Dedrick
- Updated Aug 18, 2014
![Iraqi and Kurdish Forces Reclaim Mosul Dam](https://i.swncdn.com/media/700w/crosswalk/resource/areas/crosswalk/resources/images/defaultimages/article-large-landscape.png)
Combined Iraqi and Kurdish forces claim they have taken back control of the Mosul Dam which provides power for much of Iraq; Islamic State (IS) militants had previously captured the dam.
After government officials made the announcement that the dam was back under Iraqi control, IS militants released a statement that insisted otherwise. An unnamed U.S. defense official said that IS militants did still have partial control of the facility.
IS had strategically placed an unknown number of bombs around the dam; 170 have been dismantled so far.
Iraqi Lt. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi said that the Iraq flag is now flying over the dam.
The Associated Press reports that regaining control of the Mosul Dam would be the first significant victory for Iraq. Such a success would likely boost morale in the nation, as Iraqi and Kurdish soldiers continue to fight the influence of the Islamic State on the country.
Publication date: August 18, 2014