ERBIL, Kurdistan Region- Peshmerga forces recaptured on Wednesday swaths of territory west of Kirkuk that were in Islamic State control.
With the help of US-coalition airstrikes, the large scale operation began around 7 am, said Rudaw reporter Sangar Abdulrahman at the scene of the offensive. It resulted in the liberation of Garra Heights, a strategic position west of Kirkuk, as well as six villages.
“The Peshmerga military operation has been widely implemented and so far they managed to defuse five planted landmines,” Abdulrahman said.
The reporter added, “Garra Heights is considered a very critical area, and if they manage to control it they will be able to control 25 other villages. Peshmerga have planned to control some 30 km.”
“So far, there are no clashes with the ISIS militants, and the coalition airstrikes managed to destroy two car bombs of the three cars that ISIS prepared to attack Peshmerga,” Abdulrahman said.
Bapir Sheikh Wasani, commander of Peshmerga 2nd brigade, told Rudaw: “There are many planted mines in the nine villages. We expect a confrontation and we are well prepared to fight and announce victory in the coming hours.”
ISIS members involved in the offensive took to social media to amass support and ask for prayers.
“Prayers for your brothers in Kirkuk. There is a massive bombardment,” read one Tweet, by Abu Talha Ansari.
The military operation is considered the third phase launched by Peshmerga in the region. Coalition warplanes have been targeting the ISIS strongholds for many days.
