ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – US jets pounded Islamic State (IS/ISIS) positions as Peshmerga forces moved in to regain control of most of the Mosul dam, which the militants captured earlier this month.
Kurdish authorities, who reported ongoing fighting, have been especially concerned about the dam in IS hands, because its destruction would flood Mosul and waters might even reach as far south as Baghdad.
The United States said it carried out nine strikes with FA-18 jets and drones against the militants, backing the Peshmerga in their push.
“Fighting is ongoing at the Mosul dam and we have caused big losses to ISIS and now more than 80 percent of the dam is controlled by the Peshmergas,” said Abdul-Khaliq Babiri, a senior member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), who is on the Mosul frontlines.
“Within the next few hours we expect clean up the area from ISIS and fully control Mosul dam,” he told Rudaw.
Meanwhile Ali Awni, another KDP leadership member, told Rudaw that the areas of Tilsqof and Batma are under full controlled of the Peshmerga forces. “The Peshmerga are advancing in these areas,” he said.
Earlier, a commander had reported that Peshmerga forces had regained control of some villages, after an offensive backed by air strikes.
He said "the attack will continue until the areas of Zumar and Shingal are fully under our control.”
