The Islamic State (IS) militants attempted an attack on the Bashiq front overnight on 15th March, using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED). The vehicle was destroyed by Peshmerga forces before it reached its target.

Peshmerga commander Hamid Afandi told BasNews from the Bashiq front, west of Mosul, “We had intelligence suggesting that IS militants would attempt to attack the Peshmerga, so we monitored their movements. We managed to destroy the VBIED using a MILAN missile before it reached our lines.

“We believe that 10 IS militants were killed in the attack, but we cannot confirm it,” he added.

Afandi also commented on Peshmerga advances, “We are only 15 KM from Mosul now, but we are not willing to advance further as we have no plans to go into Mosul.”