Islamic State capture Kurd territory in northern Iraq

The Islamic State launched a major offensive against Peshmerga forces in northern Iraq on 2 and 3 August. The offensive led to the IS capture of Sinjar, Mosul Dam and a number of other towns north and north west of Mosul. The IS offensive is the first committed attempt to challenge the Kurds in the north since IS took Mosul in June and may signal a new escalation. In response the Peshmerga have deployed reenforcements and YPG forces from Syria have been deployed to assist KRG Peshmerga forces, the first time this has happened since the Mosul takeover. The Kurds are also promising that they will cleanse Mosul within 48 to 72 hours and retake towns recently lossed. If they can do this, it would be a major feat. While the Peshmerga are viewed as strong, their offensive capability is untested. IS and its supporting organisations are battle hardened and have access to Iraqi heavy armour. While they may be outmatched numerically, they have the technical and experience advantage, a key in any war. Time will tell how this will play out.