Peshmerga, coalition forces hunt ISIS in Garmiyan

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces on Tuesday launched a sweeping air and ground operation in the outskirts of the Garmiyan area, close to Iraq’s Diyala province, with the support of the coalition against ISIS.

The search for remnants of the terrorist group covered the rural areas of Dawouda, lying between the mountain ranges of Kifri and Khurmatu, in the southeastern part of Kurdistan. The area is known as Garmiyan for its warm, dry climate.

Operations were carried out in Ghara, Balaga, and Qum Palk, starting early Monday evening, according to a field commander.

The Peshmerga’s Golden Forces are participating in the operation.

The commander told Kurdistan 24 that a number of ammunition caches and hideouts allegedly used by ISIS militants have been destroyed.

Coalition forces assisted the Peshmerga from the air and ground, the commander said, adding that no confrontation with the terror group has taken place and militants may have fled in advance of the operation.

Peshmerga regularly search the Garmiyan area, sometimes alongside Iraqi security forces, to prevent an ISIS resurgence. 

Early last month, Peshmerga launched a similar operation in areas disputed between the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government and Iraqi federal government following the establishment of joint coordination centers with the Iraqi military.

Harem Jaff from Kifri contributed to this report