Iraq's Mosul Dam at risk of collapse: US officials

By Haydar Hadi

BAGHDAD

Iraq’s Mosul Dam -- the largest in the country -- is currently at risk of collapse, according to recent claims by U.S. officials.

Some observers have voiced fear that the Iraqi government -- which currently has its hands full fighting the Daesh terrorist group -- would be unable to take the necessary measures should the 30-year-old dam collapse.

Mahdi Rasheed, undersecretary of Iraq’s Ministry of Water Resources, however, insists the claims are exaggerated.

"The Mosul Dam is functioning properly," he told Anadolu Agency. "Rumors of its imminent collapse are unfounded."

Rasheed said the dam had been subject to regular maintenance since 1986, going on to stress that the government had carried out repair work on the dam following its recapture from Daesh in 2014.

"An Italian company has been hired to repair damaged parts of the dam," he added.

Daesh overran Mosul -- Iraq's second largest city -- in mid-2014, briefly capturing the massive dam.

"Iraqi security forces, with air support from U.S.-led coalition forces, have now been deployed to protect the dam," said Rasheed.

The Iraqi government had previously said that some 400 Italian troops would be sent to the area to secure the dam.