Pushing ISIS Back: Kurdish Forces Retake ISIS-Controlled Villages

News Staff : Aug 15, 2016
CBN News

Kurdish forces, called Peshmerga, are aiming to "clear several more villages" to increase pressure on ISIS, according to the Kurdish Security Council. 

(Iraq)—[CBN News] Iraqi Kurdish forces have retaken five villages that are east of the Islamic State-held city of Mosul. (Photo via CBN News) 

The operation, which began at daybreak on Sunday, was supported by airstrikes from the U.S.-led coalition. One strike reportedly destroyed a booby-trapped car.
 
Kurdish and Iraqi government forces have been encircling Mosul ahead of an offensive to retake the city, according to a BBC report. 
 
ISIS took control of Mosul, Iraq's largest city, in June 2014. Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the northern Iraqi city a caliphate.
 
According to reports, more than 5,000 troops were involved in the latest operation, which comes as the Iraqi government is trying to advance from the south. 
 
No date has been confirmed for when the mission to retake Mosul will begin. 
 
Meanwhile, Kurdish forces, called Peshmerga, are aiming to "clear several more villages" to increase pressure on ISIS, according to the Kurdish Security Council. 

A Kurdish commander says the operation outside Mosul is ongoing.