BAGHDAD (AP) — The Iraqi army claims its forces along with Kurdish troops recaptured the Mosul Dam from Islamic militants today, following two days of U.S. airstrikes. However, the Islamic State group insists it remains in control of Iraq’s largest dam.
An Iraqi army spokesman says, while the dam itself has been secured, fierce fighting continues for the southern side of the complex.
A senior Kurdish commander tells The Associated Press that his forces have withdrawn because the complex is rigged with explosives.
In Washington, a U.S. defense official says the battle for control of the dam is “not over.”
The retaking of the dam would mark the first major victory for the Iraqi and Kurdish forces battling the Islamic militants since U.S. airstrikes began earlier this month. The Mosul Dam and its broader complex hold great strategic value as they supply electricity and water to a large part of the country.
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117-c-10-(Vivian Salama (sah-LAH’-muh), AP correspondent)-“the Iraqi forces”-AP correspondent Vivian Salama reports it appears U.S. air strikes against Islamist militants played a significant role in the retaking of the dam, which provides electricity and water to a large part of Iraq. (18 Aug 2014)
< 115-c-20-(Vivian Salama (sah-LAH’-muh), AP correspondent)-“10 days ago”-AP correspondent Vivian Salama reports that word from Iraqi security forces is they and Kurdish fighters have taken back from Islamic militants Iraq’s largest electricity-producing dam. (18 Aug 2014) < 116-c-14-(Vivian Salama (sah-LAH’-muh), AP correspondent)-“to take over”-AP correspondent Vivian Salama reports U.S. air power has played a role in the retaking of the dam, a significant win for the militants when they took it two weeks ago. (18 Aug 2014) < APPHOTO BKM101: Smoke rises during airstrikes targeting Islamic State militants at the Mosul Dam outside Mosul, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 18, 2014. Boosted by two days of U.S. airstrikes, Iraqi and Kurdish forces on Monday wrested back control of the country’s largest dam from Islamic militants, a military spokesman in Baghdad said, as fighting was reported to be underway for the rest of the strategic facility. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) (18 Aug 2014) < APPHOTO BKM102: Smoke rises during airstrikes targeting Islamic State militants at the Mosul Dam outside Mosul, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 18, 2014. Boosted by two days of U.S. airstrikes, Iraqi and Kurdish forces on Monday wrested back control of the country’s largest dam from Islamic militants, a military spokesman in Baghdad said, as fighting was reported to be underway for the rest of the strategic facility. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed (18 Aug 2014) < APPHOTO BKM104: Kurdish forces, known as the Peshmerga, make their way to the front line to fight militants from the extremist Islamic State group at Mosul Dam, outside Mosul, Iraq, Monday, Aug 18, 2014. Boosted by two days of U.S. airstrikes, Iraqi and Kurdish forces on Monday wrested back control of the country’s largest dam from Islamic militants, a military spokesman in Baghdad said, as fighting was reported to be underway for the rest of the strategic facility. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) (18 Aug 2014) < APPHOTO BKM105: Kurdish forces, known as the Peshmerga, make their way to the front line to fight militants from the extremist Islamic State group at Mosul Dam, outside Mosul, Iraq, Monday, Aug 18, 2014. Boosted by two days of U.S. airstrikes, Iraqi and Kurdish forces on Monday wrested back control of the country’s largest dam from Islamic militants, a military spokesman in Baghdad said, as fighting was reported to be underway for the rest of the strategic facility. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) (18 Aug 2014) < Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.