Peshmerga: ‘Coalition warplane, not as decisive as before’
“Up to 10,000 Peshmerga are involved in the operation
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Region Peshmerga forces launched a military operation against the Islamic State (IS) in north and northeast of Mosul, liberating several new villages.
A statement by the General Command of Peshmerga Forces of Kurdistan Region on Thursday stated that “Up to 10,000 Peshmerga are involved in the operation from three fronts, making it one of the largest ground-led assaults in the war against IS.
The Peshmerga launched the operation against IS in the Bashiq, Nawaran and Mosul dam front lines on Thursday, at 6:00 AM (local time).
Peshmerga forces were able to liberate nine villages in all three front lines and surround 20 other villages.
The Peshmerga statement added that “the operation will continue until Peshmerga Forces have completed their primary objectives.”
“Global Coalition warplane and support were not as decisive as in the past,” the statement read.
The Kurdistan Region Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi security forces launched an offensive against Islamic State (IS) in east and south of Mosul on October 17.
General Command of Peshmerga Forces of Kurdistan Region in a statement announced the start the first day of the military operation against IS in Mosul and surrounding areas.
“Peshmerga fighters have been very important and have played a very important role in the operation of Mosul liberation,” John Dorrian, the spokesperson of the Global Coalition against IS, told Kurdistan24, adding that Peshmerga forces will not enter the Mosul city center.
Editing by Ava Homa