Two IS members surrender to Peshmerga, one holds rank of Emir

KIRKUK, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Two members of the Islamic State (IS) surrendered to Peshmerga at one of the front lines in southern Kirkuk Province, a Peshmerga soldier said on Friday.

One of the two members holds a high rank among the insurgent group known as Emir (Senior Leader), a source from the Peshmerga told Kurdistan24 on condition of anonymity.

He mentioned they surrendered at a Peshmerga front line located in the Ozeiriya village, south of Kirkuk.

In the past few months, IS movements have increased in southern Kirkuk, especially on the border of Khurmatu town.

However, Kurdish forces in the area believe the militant group is attempting to demonstrate their influence as their presence continues to shrink in Mosul.

IS has repeatedly attacked Peshmerga front lines in the Khurmatu area in the past few months, but to no avail, as the Kurdish forces continuously repel their attacks.

Kirkuk officials have often called on the Federal Government of Iraq to accelerate and push forward plans of liberating the neighboring Hawija city from the extremist group, one of IS’ last strongholds in Iraq.

Officials had also mentioned the security of Kirkuk remained under threat as long as the insurgent group was present in Hawija.

Kirkuk is home to over half a million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who fled other parts of Iraq due to the threat of IS attacks.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany