Battle for Mosul Dam

The Battle for Mosul Dam was a battle between the militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Kurdish Peshmerga forces supported by Iraqi troops and U.S.-led Coalition airstrikes.

Background

Mosul Dam was captured by ISIL militants on August 7, 2014, after Kurdish forces retreated from the area, following a series of battles in the region. Some American officials described the fall of the dam as a grave concern, because it could release a 20 metres (66 ft) wave of water if it was destroyed, threatening towns and cities downstream. Following these recent developments, Kurdish forces, Iraqi forces, and the US Air Force launched a counter-offensive to retake the dam.

Events

On August 16, the US Air Force launched air strikes on ISIL positions near the dam, destroying some of their equipment. Kurdish forces also launched attacks against ISIL on the same day, shelling their positions near it, and opening up the possibility for a ground attack. A Kurdish commander, Major General Abdelrahman Korini, told AFP that the Peshmerga had captured the eastern side of the dam and were "still advancing". Rudaw, a Kurdish news organization, said the air strikes appeared to be the "heaviest US bombing of militant positions since the start of air strikes" against ISIL last week. At least 11 ISIL fighters were killed by the air strikes.

On August 17, the fighting continued. Kurdish officials told that peshmerga forces captured three towns near the dam: Tel Skuf, Sharafiya and Batnaya. The U.S.-led coalition had until that day conducted nine airstrikes and destroyed or damaged four armoured personnel carriers, seven armed vehicles, two Humvees and an armoured vehicle. ISIL militants tried to slow down Kurdish forces by explosive devices, including homemade bombs and landmines.

On August 18, Iraqi and Kurdish forces said they took full control of it. US President Barack Obama also confirmed that the Mosul Dam was under complete Kurdish and Iraqi control. He also said that the move to recapture the Mosul Dam was a "major step forward" in the long-term strategy to defeat the militants. Journalists in the area reported that the fighting did not completely end.

On August 19, the battle ended completely with a Kurdish-Iraqi victory. BBC reporter Jim Muir who has visited the dam, said it was "back in safe hands" and appeared intact.