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Iraq crisis: Military claims control of Mosul dam | |
(35 minutes later) | |
There are conflicting reports about whether Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and Iraqi troops have fully retaken Mosul dam from Islamic State (IS) militants. | |
Iraqi military spokesman Lt-Gen Qassim Atta told state TV the dam - Iraq's largest - had been "fully cleansed". | |
Troops had been backed by a joint air patrol, he added, without specifying if there had been any US air strikes. | |
However, journalists in the area said fighting was continuing and jihadists remained in control of the main gate. | |
An Islamic State statement also contradicted the military's claim, saying it had repelled Kurdish fighters and inflicted heavy losses. | |
The dam, captured by IS on 7 August, is of huge strategic significance. | The dam, captured by IS on 7 August, is of huge strategic significance. |
Located on the River Tigris about 50km (30 miles) upstream from the city of Mosul, it controls the water and power supply to a large surrounding area in northern Iraq. | Located on the River Tigris about 50km (30 miles) upstream from the city of Mosul, it controls the water and power supply to a large surrounding area in northern Iraq. |
Earlier, Kurdish officials said the Peshmerga had recaptured most of the area around the dam, but still had more to do to achieve full control. | Earlier, Kurdish officials said the Peshmerga had recaptured most of the area around the dam, but still had more to do to achieve full control. |
They said IS fighters had put up stiff resistance, and had planted many roadside bombs and other explosive devices. | They said IS fighters had put up stiff resistance, and had planted many roadside bombs and other explosive devices. |
In support of the Peshmerga operation, US bombers, fighter jets and unmanned drones carried out a total of 25 air strikes over the weekend, hitting more than 30 IS vehicles and a checkpoint, the Pentagon said. | |
Are you near Mosul or the River Tigris? Has the recent violence affected you? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |