VIDEO: Peshmerga repel IS attack in southern Kirkuk

KIRKUK, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – On Saturday night, the Islamic State (IS) attacked Peshmerga front lines south of Kirkuk’s Khurmatu town but were thwarted in their attempts to cross the lines.

Speaking to Kurdistan24 reporters, Peshmerga Commander in Khurmatu Abdulla Bor stated that IS fighters attacked a Peshmerga front in the village of Small Hlewa.

“We were six Peshmerga, surrounded by Da’esh [IS] on all sides,” a Peshmerga soldier told Kurdistan24 on Sunday while reporting from the front line. “They were shouting slogans and firing BKC and RPGs on our positions, but we refused to leave the base.”

Bor mentioned that while Peshmerga forces were moving to the area to fight back, a Peshmerga military vehicle detonated an IS booby trap, injuring three.

According to the Commander, seven Peshmerga fighters have been injured, and many jihadists were killed.

In the past few months, IS militants have repeatedly attacked Peshmerga front lines in the area, and have been planting IED bombs on the roads but have failed to capture any territory in the area.

Editing by G.H. Renaud

(Hemin Dalo contributed to this report)