WATCH: Peshmerga repel large-scale IS attack in southern Kirkuk

KIRKUK, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Peshmerga forces on Monday night repelled an Islamic State (IS) attack near Khurmatu town, killing at least seven militants.

The attack began at 11:00 p.m. local time and lasted until 2:00 a.m., according to a Peshmerga commander on the front line.

It took place from several front lines of the Zarga village located in Khurmatu town. The incident is the third IS attack in the area within a month.

“At least seven [IS] militants were killed. They had different weapons with them including BKC, RPG, Kalashnikov, and grenades,” a Peshmerga soldier who participated in the battle told Kurdistan24 correspondent Hemin Dalo.

“We were informed by Iraqi forces in the area that about 90 militants were seen on security cameras advancing toward Peshmerga front lines,” said a Peshmerga commander in the area during a live Kurdistan24 broadcast.

The Peshmerga soldiers explained the US-led coalition warplanes arrived in the very last moments of the fight after over two hours of heavy clashes between the Kurdish forces and IS militants.

Several Kurdish people from Khurmatu who joined the Peshmerga forces on the front lines as volunteers to combat the insurgent group’s attacks.

“There are no words to describe the heroics of the people of Khurmatu who joined Peshmerga from the first moments of the fight to repel the IS attack,” several Peshmerga commanders told Kurdistan24.

During the clashes, a Peshmerga soldier was martyred and three others lightly injured, according to a Kurdistan24 correspondent.

“The morale of Peshmerga soldiers and volunteers are very high,” the Kurdish forces said during a live broadcast. “[IS] will never be able to cross our defense lines.”

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany