Photographer: Safin Hamed/AFP via Getty ImagesAn Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga fighter takes position on the front line in Khazer, near the Kurdish checkpoint of Aski kalak, 40 km West of Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, on August 14, 2014.[/caption]
Kurdish Peshmerga forces have made significant gains against ISIL terrorists in northwestern Iraq as they manage to break the Takfiri militants siege on Mount Sinjar.
At least seven villages and the strategic town of Zumar have reportedly been recaptured from the ISIL as part of a major offensive to open a path from the Kurdistan region to Mount Sinjar.
"The road is now open to Zumar, and anyone can now use the road to leave Jabal (Mount) Sinjar," Peshmerga spokesman Jabar Yawar said on Friday, adding, "people should start leaving by now."
At least 20 terrorists, some of them of Arab and foreign nationalities, turned themselves in to the Peshmerga forces following the offensive, said Kurdish field commander Mahma Khalil.
The two-day operation by the Kurdish fighters, which involved 8,000 troops, was the largest so far against the ISIL.
Peshmerga forces were said to be securing the surroundings of Mount Sinjar on Friday while fighting was reported near the city of Tal Afar in Iraq's northwestern Nineveh Province.
ISIL terrorists had captured the towns of Sinjar and Zumar in early August. They killed hundreds of residents, kidnapped and enslaved hundreds of Izadi women and girls, and forced tens of thousands to seek refuge on Mount Sinjar.
ISIL terrorists control some parts of Iraq and Syria. They are engaged in crimes against humanity in the areas under their control. ISIL militants have terrorized and killed people of all communities including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, and Christians.
By Press TV
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