ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish Peshmerga forces launched a major offensive against ISIS positions at the town of Bashiqa northeast of Mosul as part of an ongoing operation against the extremist group in its Iraq stronghold.
The offensive, launched on two fronts, started at 6:30 AM, according to a statement from the Kurdish general command.
Bashiqa has been under ISIS control for more than two years and it capture would be essential for Iraqi and Kurdish forces in their drive towards Mosul.
Thousands of Kurdish Peshmerga forces are involved in the battle for Mosul on an agreement with the Iraqi government and coalition partners.
