Peshmerga liberates 200 square km from IS in east of Mosul

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Region Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi security forces launched an offensive against Islamic State (IS) in east and south of Mosul on Monday.

General Command of Peshmerga Forces of Kurdistan Region in a statement on Monday announced the start of the military operation against IS in Mosul and surrounding areas.

“At 6:00 AM (local time) a large-scale, coordinated operation launched by Peshmerga forces in Khazir, east of Mosul and Iraqi security forces from Gwer and and Qayyara south of Mosul as the first step to clear Nineveh province from IS terrorists,” the statement added.

Supported by the coalition, 4000 Peshmerga fighters participated in the offensive.

In the operation, the Peshmerga forces liberated nine villages, advancing from three to six kilometers towards Mosul city center, said the Peshmerga Ministry’s spokesperson Halgurd Hikmat told Kurdistan24.

The villages liberated Bazgrtan, Banskhran, Sheikh Amir, Tarjala, Small Badan, Big Badan, Basakhiray, Shaquli, Kharbat Sulatan and Karbuli.

The Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani visited the Peshmerga frontline in Khazir and held a press conference, stating that Peshmerga forces liberated 200 square kilometers from IS.

Speaking of the proper arm supplies to the Peshmerga forces, President Barzani stated that “with the type of weaponry Peshmerga forces have, no other army could have achieved what has been achieved"

“The first stage of the Mosul operation has began jointly between the Peshmerga forces from the east and Iraqi army from the south,” President Barzani added.

According to the Iraqi Joint Operation Command, Iraqi security forces controlled six villages in south of Mosul, including Ibrahim Khalil, Aladala, Kan Harami, Abbas Rajab and Jadida in the first day of the operation. 

Editing by Ava Homa