Peshmerga Command: Shia militia attacks Peshmerga with US weapons, Iranian artillery

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Peshmerga Forces on Friday destroyed over ten US military vehicles used by the Iranian-backed Shia militia Hashd al-Shaabi to attack the Kurdish Forces in the south of Erbil, according to the General Command of the Peshmerga.

“At 8:00 am on Friday morning, the Shia Hashd al-Shaabi militia used US weapons, which were given to the Iraqi Forces, and Iranian artilleries to launch a large-scale offensive on the Peshmerga Forces in Pirde [Altun Kupri town],” the statement read.

“So far, all of their attacks have been repelled, and over 10 Humvees and Abrams tanks have been destroyed.”

The statement mentioned that the purpose of the attack was for the Iraqi Federal Government to establish control over the last administrative border town of Kirkuk province.

Altun Kupri is a mixed town inhabited by Kurds, Turkmen, and Arabs. The town is located at the line of contact between the Peshmerga and Iraqi Forces.

The Shia militia and Iraqi Forces' assault south of Erbil is the latest advance since the Kirkuk attack of Oct. 16, which drove tens of thousands of people to flee to Erbil and Sulaimani.

Editing by G.H. Renaud