Two Peshmerga killed by ISIS mortar

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region--The Islamic State (ISIS) launched a mortar on the Peshmerga forces on the Khazir frontline in Zartik mountain, killing two Peshmerga and injuring three on Thursday.

“Because of the ISIS mortar in Zartik mountain on the Khazir frontline, two Peshmerga from battalion 3 of the second forces of Zeravani were killed and three others injured,” Amanj Sherko, a Peshmerga officer, told Rudaw. “The Peshmerga forcefully responded to their attack.” 

On August 14, the Peshmerga operations on the Khazir, Gwer and Makhmour frontlines southeast of Mosul launched an operation under the direct supervision of Kurdish President Masoud Barzani. They cleared 150 square kilometers from ISIS and liberated 10 villages. 

As a result of the operation, five of the six routes into Mosul are under the control of the Peshmerga. They are Kaske-Badosh, Mosul dam, Nawaran, Khazir, and Gwer roads. Only the Qayyara, road which is 80 kilometres from Mosul, is under control of the Iraqi army, making it unlikely for Iraq to launch the Mosul offensive without participation of Kurdish forces.