Fourth major offensive in west of Kirkuk clears more than 140 square kilometres. Peshmerga Forces secure Ghara Heights, push ISIL beyond the river between Ghara Heights and Mt. Varies, and secure additional stretch of Kirkuk - Samarra highway

From 1900hrs on September 29 to 0530hrs on September 30, International Coalition warplanes targeted dozens of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) positions ahead of another major ground offensive led by Peshmerga forces.

The objectives were to reach Ghara Heights, located West of Mt. Bawita, secure additional stretch of the Kirkuk-Samarra Highway, push ISIL terrorists further South of the river West of Mt. Bawita, and further diminish ISIL's ability to threaten the Kurdistan Region.

Peshmerga forces began their ground offensive at 0600hrs. By 1400hrs, they reached and controlled Ghara Heights. This strategic position overlooks several villages South of Mt. Batiwa still controlled by ISIL terrorists. Today's advance has pushed ISIL terrorists further South of the river, further diminishing ISIL's ability to attack Peshmerga forces and putting additional pressure on ISIL in Hawija.

The offensive, launched from three fronts West of Kirkuk, included approximately 3,500 Peshmerga. More than 140 square kilometres were cleared, including the following areas: Meziriya, Gubebe, Seda, Mohammed Khalil, Qows Kurd, Tl Werd, Khelef and Mansuriya.

During the offensive ISIL terrorists were seeing fleeing the battlefield towards Hawija and surrounding areas.

International Coalition warplanes targeted 30 ISIL positions during the ground offensive, including three Humvees, three pick-up trucks and 1 VBIED. At least 40 ISIL terrorists were killed.

This is the fourth major ground offensive near Kirkuk since March 2015, clearing more than 670 square kilometres.

Office of The Chancellor
Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC)

At 0530hrs on September 11, Peshmerga forces launched a large-scale offensive in South of Kirkuk to further weaken ISIL's ability to threaten the Kurdistan Region. By 1315hrs, over 150 square kilometres were reclaimed, including the following villages: Albu Mohammed, Albu Yusif, Smud, Dlati Bchuk, Dlati Gowra, Sab'nisan, Tl Raba', Zenqare and Gm Bus.

During the offensive, Peshmerga forces successfully took control of the strategic Dusera Heights, located South of Daquq, and an additional stretch of the Kirkuk-Baghdad Highway, further limiting ISIL's freedom of movements.

International Coalition warplanes targeted dozens of ISIL positions from early hours of the morning and provided close air support to Peshmerga forces. The offensive, which was launched from two fronts South of Daquq, included approximately 1,500 Peshmerga and resulted in killing at least 40 ISIL terrorists.

One VBIED was destroyed by an International Coalition airstrike.

Counter-IED teams are now clearing the heavily-mined area.

In the last six months more than 530 square kilometres South of Kirkuk have been cleared as a result of four large-scale offensives.

Office of The Chancellor
Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC)