Peshmerga repel IS attack in western Mosul, killing four suicide bombers

Sinjar (IraqiNews.com) Kurdish Peshmerga forces have killed four suicide bombers after encountering an attack launched by the self-proclaimed Islamic State in Sinjar town, a source from the troops said on Tuesday.

“The Islamic State launched an attack against a Peshmerga site east of Sinjar region,” the source told Alsumaria News, adding that the troops were able to face the attack and kill four suicide bombers.

“Two of the bombers blew themselves up without losses,” the source, who preferred anonymity said.

Sinjar, located northwest of Baghdad, was captured by IS in August 2014, before being retaken in November 2015 by Iraqi forces backed by US-led coalition airstrikes.

Peshmerga forces have actively engaged in the security campaign against Islamic State militants, mainly in areas where sovereignty is disputed with the central government in Baghdad.

The Kurdish troops occasionally face attacks by IS militants at its sites. The forces had fought on the Iraqi government’s side in the operations in eastern Mosul which launched in October and ended with the retaking of the region late January.

Iraqi government troops are currently struggling to clear western Mosul from Islamic State militants, and commanders say they have become in control over 50 percent of that region.