Battle for Haditha Dam

The Haditha Dam, located on the Euphrates River in Anbar Province, Iraq, is the second-largest dam in the country and a crucial source of hydroelectric power and water control. It plays a vital role in regulating water flow to cities downstream, including Baghdad.^[1] During the Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017), the dam became a strategic target for the Islamic State (ISIS), which sought to seize it for both tactical and economic advantages.^[2]

In early 2014, ISIS launched a major offensive in Anbar Province, capturing Fallujah and Ramadi and rapidly expanding its control across western Iraq.^[3] The group had previously seized the Mosul Dam in August 2014, raising fears that the group would attempt to use Haditha Dam as a weapon by either flooding areas downstream or cutting off water supplies.^[4]

To prevent this, Iraqi government forces, supported by Sunni tribal fighters from the Albu Nimr tribe, set up defensive positions around Haditha Dam.^[5] In early September 2014, ISIS launched an offensive to capture the dam, prompting U.S. airstrikes to aid the Iraqi defenders.^[6] The battle marked one of the first major instances of direct U.S. military intervention in western Iraq against ISIS.^[7]

• August 2014 (Early) ISIS launched offensives across Anbar Province, including attempts to capture the Haditha Dam.^[4]
• 6 September 2014 U.S. airstrikes targeted ISIS positions near the Haditha Dam, including their artillery and armored vehicles.^[6]
• 7 September 2014 Firefights broke out between Iraqi government forces and ISIS militants as ISIS advanced toward the dam.^[4]
• 8 September 2014 U.S. airstrikes continued, hitting ISIS positions near the dam and disrupting their movements.^[6]
• 9 September 2014 Iraqi forces and local Sunni tribal fighters clashed with ISIS militants around the dam's perimeter. Airstrikes were conducted to support the defenders.^[5]
• 10 September 2014 Iraqi forces and Sunni tribal militias launched counterattacks around the Haditha Dam, engaging in firefights with ISIS.^[5]
• 11 September 2014 U.S. airstrikes targeted key ISIS positions, including artillery and vehicles, to support Iraqi defense forces.^[6]
• 12 September 2014 Iraqi forces pushed back against ISIS militants, engaging in clashes near the dam with air and artillery support. U.S. airstrikes hit ISIS positions.^[1]
• 13 September 2014 Heavy fighting occurred near the Haditha Dam as ISIS attempted to regroup. Airstrikes were carried out by U.S. and Iraqi air forces to counter ISIS advances.^[4]
• 14 September 2014 ISIS militants continued to be engaged by Iraqi forces around the dam, with U.S. airstrikes providing ongoing support.^[6]
• September 2014 (Mid) The battle ended with Iraqi government forces and Sunni tribal fighters successfully holding the dam against ISIS.^[5]