Civilians flee ISIS-held town of Bashiqa

BASHIQA, Iraq -- Some civilians have begun Saturday morning to flee the Islamic State-held town of Bashiqa, encircled by the Kurdish forces for several days.

 

In images captured by Rudaw TV from the frontline in Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Peshmerga forces are seen receiving at least two families, including children.

 

On Friday night, the Peshmerga forces repelled an attack by ISIS militants aimed at breaking the siege on the town. There were no reports of casualties on either sides. 

 

Kurdish President Masoud Barzani said Thursday that Bashiqa, the largest town outside Mosul with a large Yezidi population, has fallen out of ISIS control but Kurdish forces are not in a rush to enter for fear of explosives and other hazards.