Islamic State captures Mosul Dam, threatens Kurds

Frustrated by their inability to make further gains on the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, it appears as if the Islamic State has chosen to engage Kurdish forces in Kurdish-controlled territory for the first time since taking control of large portions of eastern Syria and western Iraq.

While IS has boldly and successfully challenged the forces of the Iraqi government, they had previously chosen not to challenge areas of Kurdish dominance. It was thought that IS did not want to antagonize too many actors in the area and make more enemies than necessary. Recent actions taken in northern Iraq suggest otherwise.

The New York Times reports that on August 3, IS fighters attacked three towns under Kurdish control. The IS takeover of the towns followed what seems to be their routine in newly conquered areas: Hoisting flags of IS on government buildings, destroying priceless historical shrines and artifacts, and forcing all of an area's citizens to swear allegiance to IS under the threat of death.

Of the three towns taken by IS, the town of Wana is perhaps the most strategically crucial because of its proximity to the Mosul Dam, the largest in Iraq.

Control of Wana allowed IS to launch an assault on the dam, which CNN reports fell under IS control after a 24-hour battle. The dam's employees and engineers remain inside the facility.

CNN notes that in addition to controlling the electrical supply for most the country, if IS so chooses, they could open the dam, and create a devastating flood that could reach Baghdad, 280 miles away.

The U.S. State Department addressed these new developments by reiterating U.S. support for the Kurdish pesh merga and Iraqi military.

The department also said these actions highlight the dangers of IS by saying, "The (ISIS) assault over the past 48 hours on territories along the border of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and focusing on towns and villages populated by vulnerable minorities, demonstrates once again that this terrorist organization is a dire threat to all Iraqis, the entire region, and the international community,"