Iraq: Badoush Cement Factory destroyed in struggle for Mosul

Reports from Iraq indicate that Badoush Cement Factory has been destroyed in the fighting resulting from the Iraqi government’s efforts to retake western Mosul from Islamic State (IS).

The government’s latest offensive is a continuation of the operations that saw eastern Mosul recaptured in January.

According to government sources, the Badoush plant was set ablaze by IS forces conducting a scorched earth withdrawal. However, a Kurdish source suggests that the plant was also targeted by coalition aircraft.

Prior to the fighting, the Badoush facility had a capacity of around 1.7Mta. It was operated by Northern Cement, which is owned by the Iraqi state.