‘IS attacks, only to show they exist’

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Jihadists’ attacks on Peshmerga are not effective, and they attack only to show that they are present, said a Peshmerga Commander on Wednesday.

The Islamic State (IS) suicide bombers attacked Peshmerga front lines in Bashiqa, northern Mosul on Wednesday early morning, but Peshmerga killed the two suicide bombers before they reached the front line.

“Dae’sh occasionally attacks Peshmerga fronts in northern Iraq and often their attacks are not effective,” Musa Gardi, a Peshmerga Commander in Bashiqa, told Kurdistan24, using the Arabic pejorative term for IS.

“They attack only to show they are not dead yet,” Gardi said, stating that IS wants to pretend they are still strong.

He mentioned that Peshmerga has strong intelligence that monitors IS activities in the area and distinguishes civilians from IS members who aim to flee from jihadist-controlled territories.

Gardi revealed that IS prepares their militants to attack, but they first send suicide bombers to break the Peshmerga defense line. “Peshmerga clearly understands IS tactics now.”

Additionally, the commander acknowledged the important role of the international coalition warplanes in repelling IS attacks as they provide aerial support to Peshmerga forces.

Sleman Jadir, a Peshmerga soldier on Bashiqa front, pointed out that IS seeks to find an opportunity to break Peshmerga defense line, but Peshmerga remains ready to repel jihadists' attacks 24/7.

Peshmerga has been one of the most efficient ground forces. They shares over 1,000 km (600 miles) border with IS. Kurdish officials have often asked the international community that the war is in big scale and Peshmerga forces need heavy weapons and ammunition to accelerate the advancing process in northern Iraq.

Reporting by Mewan Dolamari
Editing by Ava Homa