Posted on 08/04/2014 7:47:32 PM PDT by TangoLimaSierra
The Kurdish forces went on the offensive on Sunday after Islamic militants captured Shangal 200 kilometers west of Erbil.
SHANGAL—Kurdish Peshmerga forces have entered Shangal, said military officials, and they have cornered militants of the Islamic State in parts of the town.
Rudaw reporter in the area said that units from the 10,000-strong Peshmarga force who had encircled the town earlier in the day are now in the town center and try to rout the Islamic militants.
The Peshmerga were able to enter Shangal following a heavy bombardment of the Rahman and Nasir sectors where the militants had taken position. Meanwhile, a large Peshmerga forces have made their way to the Shangal mountainside where thousands of Yezidi families have taken shelter.
Rudaw reporter says that the Peshmerga have made progress in their counteroffensive near Zumar where they intend to cut off the IS militants from retreating into Syria.
The IS are said to have demolished the Zumar bridge in anticipation of the Peshmerga advance.
The Kurdish forces went on the offensive on Sunday after Islamic militants captured Shangal 200 kilometers west of Erbil.
“We decided to go on the offensive and fight the terrorists to the last breath,” said Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani Monday afternoon. “We have ordered the Peshmerga to attack the terrorists and enemies of Kurdistan with all their power.”
Barzani said that the Kurdish forces “will not relinquish an inch of Kurdistan and we will defend our dear Yezidi brothers and sisters.”
Earlier in the day, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ordered the Iraqi air force to assist the Peshmerga in their fight against the IS militants.
According to Rudaw reporter in the region, Iraqi jets bombed militant positions in Shangal and Zumar today.
Unofficial sources told Rudaw that members of the Peoples Protection Units (YPG) have joined the Peshmerga fight against the Islamic militants. Ten Kurdish volunteer fighters were also reported to have reached Shangal from Turkey.
How long before Turkey and Iran make a move on Kurdish Forces ?
Hammer v. Anvil with jihadis in the middle should work out.
Mixed feelings on this one. On the one hand anybody fighting IS is a good thing, and the Kurds have been good allies in recent times. On the other hand they didn’t lift a finger to help the Iraqi Christians, and they have a pretty bloody history helping the Turks slaughter Armenians.
Well as Turkey slips towards the dark side of Islam, perhaps the Kurds are the only reliable force in the region that will deal honestly with the U.S.
“they didn’t lift a finger to help the Iraqi Christians”
They did take them in. http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=21968 There wasn’t much they could do to regain their lost homes, towns, or cities.
The Kurds, in fact, have offered safe haven to Christians for at least 4 years now: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/11/11/iraq.christian.attacks/
Oops! See post # 7.
Good news for all of us. Civilization strikes back against the savages.
The Kurds have provided asylum to the Christians from Mosul.
“....as Turkey slips towards the dark side of Islam....”
.
Anyone seen the lighter side of Islam?
Kurds are also very tough on their women, even for the area. Lots of honor killings, genital mutilation and such.
I thought Kurds were helping Christians.
Have not read anything about mutilation of Kurdish women.
OK. Kurdish women had it better under Saddam than now. With Kurds running their own business women are treated worse.
I don’t know enough about the area to have an opinion on whether things are better or worse for the women of Kurdistan now. I doubt it’s made much difference.
showing Iraqis how it’s done.
Recognize Kurdistan.
Take no prisoners.
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