Heavy ISIS casualties expected in US airstrikes in Shingal

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – US-led coalition airstrikes have targeted Islamic State (ISIS) militants in Shingal for two days, reportedly killing many, a Kurdish commander said on Thursday. 

Brig. Gen. Ezadeen Saddo said that, “since Wednesday morning the US coalition continuously targeted ISIS military bases at different times, which resulted in heavy casualties to the terrorist organization.”

Saddo added that the series of air raids began at 7 am Wednesday, destroying several ISIS military camps in different locations inside Shingal.

ISIS forces overran the Shingal district in August last year, forcing thousands of Yezidi Kurds to flee to the mountains. Hundreds of Yezidis were killed and thousands more taken into captivity, mostly women and young girls.

ISIS bases in disputed Shingal have been frequently bombarded by coalition airstrikes over the past several months.

Shingal is a town in the Shingal district of Mosul province, near Mount Shingal. Its population in 2013 was estimated at more than 88,000. The town is mainly inhabited by Yezidis and other minorities.