ISIS uses water as weapon in Mosul fight

Thứ Năm, 01/12/2016, 08:18

At least half a million people caught in the crossfire inside the Iraqi city of Mosul now have no access to running water, the United Nations told CNN on Wednesday.

One of three major water pipelines was struck as Iraqi troops fought back ISIS militants in parts of eastern Mosul.

The damaged conduit remains inside the group's territory, making it inaccessible for repairs, according to a UNICEF statement released Wednesday.

Iraqi civilians sit on the ground in Mosul. (photo: CNN)

An Iraqi-led offensive began in October to liberate Mosul after more than two years under ISIS control. Mosul is the terror group's last major power base in Iraq.

Officials and witnesses admit a pipeline break has occurred but said ISIS' more sinister agenda has escalated the problem.

The group has intentionally cut off water supplies to neighborhoods near the front line, according to Zuhair Hazem al-Jabouri, a Mosul City Council official responsible for supervising the city's water and energy services.

The terror group maintains control of critical water and electricity plants that service thousands of homes in Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city.

"We have information that ISIS shuts and opens water access as they please," Sabah al-Numan, a spokesman for Iraq's counterterror forces, told CNN.

CNN