Peshmerga commander: IS defeated in 2016

Wasta Rasul, commander of Peshmerga forces in southern Kirkuk Province, explained the progress of the fight against IS since 2014, and mentioned that 2016 may be the end of the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq militarily

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – On Wednesday, Wasta Rasul, commander of Peshmerga forces in southern Kirkuk Province, explained the progress of the fight against IS since 2014, and mentioned that 2016 may be the end of the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq militarily. Rasul stated that in 2014, IS militants conducted fifteen major operations against Peshmerga forces in southern Kirkuk. “We repelled all these attacks and pushed jihadists back even further,” the commander added.

The commander explained Peshmerga forces conducted nine major operations along the Kirkuk front from March 2015. “In March, we initiated our first offensive against IS in southern Kirkuk. We succeeded in liberating some villages in strategic locations,” Wasta Rasul explained. “Next, we carried out eight operations...liberating sixty villages, one district, and two collectives between Kirkuk and Tuz Khurmatu,” he elaborated.

By the end of 2015, Peshmerga forces in the area cleared 1200 square kilometers (745 square miles), the commander revealed. “Peshmerga stationed in Kirkuk have retaken most of the disputed areas among other fronts as well” Wasta Rasul commented.

He added, after defeating IS in Iraq, Peshmerga will stay along Kurdistan's borders, including the disputed areas. Rasul stated that Peshmerga will protect these borders “with our lives” from “any group, force, or state that may emerge after IS.” He called Kirkuk a “hotbed of problems” in many aspects, namely militarily, economically, politically, and that there is a great deal of mistrust among countries involved in securing Kirkuk. He said, “Many countries like the U.S. and the coalition countries, Russia, Iran, and Iraq have influence [in Kirkuk].” He added, “We [Peshmerga] have the responsibility to protect our nation.”