Peshmerga: ISIS routed from most areas, but still posing serious threat

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—ISIS may have been routed from many of its previous territories including the eastern side of Mosul city, but it still poses a serious threat especially in the form of terrorist and hit-and-run attacks, warns a senior Peshmerga official.

“The group still has strength in Mosul though it has been routed in many areas including the eastern bank of Mosul,” said Jabar Yawar, chief of staff of the Kurdish Peshmerga ministry. “As recently as yesterday ISIS carried out a terrorist attack at Nafkhana near Khanaqin where a few were killed and four were abducted.”

Therefore, said Yawar: “The operation has not ended yet neither have terrorist acts.”

Yawar who was speaking alongside a number of Iraqi army commanders at a panel organized by the Middle East Research Institute (MERI) said small ISIS groups still roam along the Kurdistan Region borders especially south of Kirkuk.

“They might be few, but they are out there,” he said. “They are small hit-and-run groups and most of it originates from Hawija.”

“That is why plan is being made for the liberation of Hawija.” Yawar revealed.

Recognizing the danger ISIS poses from Hawija, said Yawar, a plan had been made to liberate it from ISIS even before launching the October Mosul operation.

“It was supposed that Hawija would start before Mosul,” he explained. “It is important for us because it is a threat to Kirkuk and other areas.”

The Hawija operation has been the topic of much speculation in the last two years as to when it may start and which forces may be involved, Yawar said however that as far as Kurdish forces were concerned, there was complete readiness.

“After the start of the Mosul operation we have had talks with Iraqi forces on this and the plan is there. Only the date needs to be decided.” Yawar maintained. “Our forces are ready.”

The Kurdish military official said that the Peshmerga and Iraqi forces have practiced great coordination in the push for Mosul and that political differences haven’t hampered military action.

He said: “Politics have been put aside for now and the issues of territories will be solved through the constitution, the law and negotiations in the future.”