Peshmerga repel multiple IS attacks

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Region Peshmerga forces repelled on Sunday several Islamic State (IS) attacks on the front lines east and north of Mosul.

In the early morning, Peshmerga forces thwarted IS extremists’ attacks on the Bashiq and Khazir front lines, northern Mosul, and the Gwer front line, east of Mosul.  

Lieutenant Colonel Abbas Qadir, a Peshmerga Commander on the Gwer front, told Kurdistan24 that IS insurgents attacked Peshmerga at 4:00 a.m. (local time).

Qadir added the attack was defended by Peshmerga fighters after nearly two hours of fighting.

IS extremists used light weapons such as AK-47’s, mortars, and machine guns during the assualt.

According to the Peshmerga Commander, several extremists were killed in the attack, but no Peshmerga casualties were reported.

On the Khazir front line, Peshmerga forces defended an IS attack where insurgents used machine guns, mortars, and suicide bombers.

“Two IS suicide bombers were killed by Peshmerga fighters before they reached our positions,” Brigade Ahmed Koyie told Kurdistan24.

“Another suicide bomber infiltrated our positions and blew up himself, martyring three Peshmerga fighters and wounding five others,” Koyie continued.

Meanwhile, on the Bashiq front line, some 20 kilometers away from the IS-held city of Mosul, Peshmerga forces repelled another attack which began at 6:00 a.m.

The clashes lasted for more than an hour according to Hassan Hado a Peshmerga Commander.

Peshmerga sources stated that 11 IS extremists were killed in the attack on the Bashiq front, and two cars used by the insurgents were destroyed.

As the operation to liberate Mosul is approaching, Peshmerga forces have five corridors to enter the IS-held city while the Iraqi army is limited to one.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany