PHOTOS: Peshmerga repel IS attacks on two fronts in southern Kirkuk

On Tuesday night, Islamic State (IS) militants launched attacks on Peshmerga front lines in southern Kirkuk which were promptly rebuffed.

KIRKUK, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – On Tuesday night, Islamic State (IS) militants launched attacks on Peshmerga front lines in southern Kirkuk which were promptly rebuffed.

The attacks took place late Tuesday night on both Daquq and Khurmatu front lines, according to Kurdistan 24 Correspondent Hemin Dalo.

Following fierce clashes between both sides, the jihadists retreated from the area.

“Many Da’esh militants were killed and wounded in the fight, and their bodies remain on the ground,” a Peshmerga Commander in the area told the Kurdistan 24 Correspondent, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

The Commander reported that two Peshmerga soldiers were ‘martyred’ and several more wounded.

In the past months, IS militants have repeatedly launched attacks on Kurdish front lines in the south and southwest of Kirkuk, aiming to break defensive line, and have failed every time.

Kirkuk Governor Najmaldin Karim has often called on the federal government of Iraq to accelerate plans to liberate the city of Hawija located in western Kirkuk Province, stating it poses a serious security threat on the province which is home to over half a million internally displaced persons (IDPs).

 

Editing by G.H. Renaud

Peshmerga standing next to a dead Islamic State (IS) militant in the southwestern of Kirkuk Province, Kurdistan Region, August 16, 2017. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)
Peshmerga standing next to a dead Islamic State (IS) militant in the southwestern of Kirkuk Province, Kurdistan Region, August 16, 2017. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)
Peshmerga standing next to a dead Islamic State (IS) militant in the southwestern of Kirkuk Province, Kurdistan Region, August 16, 2017. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)
Peshmerga standing next to a dead Islamic State (IS) militant in the southwestern of Kirkuk Province, Kurdistan Region, August 16, 2017. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)
Peshmerga standing next to a dead Islamic State (IS) militant in the southwestern of Kirkuk Province, Kurdistan Region, August 16, 2017. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)
Peshmerga standing next to a dead Islamic State (IS) militant in the southwestern of Kirkuk Province, Kurdistan Region, August 16, 2017. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)