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  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga officer zeros the sights on his G36 assault rifle, donated by Germany, during a training package run by coalition forces at a military training area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
8,000 G36 and 8,000 G3 assault rifles were donated by the German government to the peshmerga, along with 6 million pieces of ammunition for the weapons.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_04_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga officers practice aiming their G36 assault rifles, donated by Germany, during a training package run by coalition forces at a military training area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
8,000 G36 and 8,000 G3 assault rifles were donated by the German government to the peshmerga, along with 6 million pieces of ammunition for the weapons.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_05_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 11/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters celebrate after capturing the, previously ISIS held, village of Abo Muhammad during a peshmerga offensive near Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The offensive, which went unchallenged after ISIS left the area ahead of the attack, saw the peshmerga capture 15 villages along the Kirkuk front line. The objective of the offensive was to expand the safety zone around Kirkuk, stopping militants from firing missiles and rockets in to the city of Kirkuk. 3 peshmerga were killed and 24 wounded due to improvised explosive devices left behind by the militants. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_PUSH_09_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. A Dutch coalition forces instructor instructs peshmerga officers on operational planning using a sand box model at a military training area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_19_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. Peshmerga officers plan movements on a map during a training exercise at a military training area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_17_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. Peshmerga officers listen to a coalition forces instructor during a tactical planning lesson taught by coalition forces instructors at a military base area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_16_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. A Dutch coalition forces instructor instructs peshmerga officers on operational planning using a sand box model at a military training area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_08_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 11/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighter watches an armoured humvee move through the recently captured village of Zankhar, Iraq. The village was captured by the peshmerga during an offensive to expand a safety zone around Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The offensive, which went unchallenged after ISIS left the area ahead of the attack, saw the peshmerga capture 15 villages along the Kirkuk front line. The objective of the offensive was to expand the safety zone around Kirkuk, stopping militants from firing missiles and rockets in to the city of Kirkuk. 3 peshmerga were killed and 24 wounded due to improvised explosive devices left behind by the militants. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_PUSH_13_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. A Dutch coalition forces instructor helps peshmerga officers with map planning exercise during a coalition forces run training package at a military training area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_18_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters learn how to use the sights on the Breda Folgore 80mm anti-tank recoilless rifle by Italian soldiers during a training package held at a military training area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Italy has donated 50 of the anti-tank weapons and 1000 rockets to the peshmerga.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_11_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighter learns how to use the sights on the Breda Folgore 80mm anti-tank recoilless rifle by Italian soldiers during a training package held at a military training area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Italy has donated 50 of the anti-tank weapons and 1000 rockets to the peshmerga.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_09_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 11/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga man an armoured humvee in the village of Zankhar, Iraq. The village was taken by the peshmerga during an offensive to expand a safety zone around Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The offensive, which went unchallenged after ISIS left the area ahead of the attack, saw the peshmerga capture 15 villages along the Kirkuk front line. The objective of the offensive was to expand the safety zone around Kirkuk, stopping militants from firing missiles and rockets in to the city of Kirkuk. 3 peshmerga were killed and 24 wounded due to improvised explosive devices left behind by the militants. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_PUSH_14_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 11/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters walk through the, previously Islamic State held, village of Zankhar. The village was captured during a peshmerga offensive to expand a safety zone around the city of Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The offensive, which went unchallenged after ISIS left the area ahead of the attack, saw the peshmerga capture 15 villages along the Kirkuk front line. The objective of the offensive was to expand the safety zone around Kirkuk, stopping militants from firing missiles and rockets in to the city of Kirkuk. 3 peshmerga were killed and 24 wounded due to improvised explosive devices left behind by the militants. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_PUSH_12_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 11/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga watch from the top of an armoured humvee during an offensive by the peshmerga to expand a safety zone around Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The offensive, which went unchallenged after ISIS left the area ahead of the attack, saw the peshmerga capture 15 villages along the Kirkuk front line. The objective of the offensive was to expand the safety zone around Kirkuk, stopping militants from firing missiles and rockets in to the city of Kirkuk. 3 peshmerga were killed and 24 wounded due to improvised explosive devices left behind by the militants. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_PUSH_11_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 11/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters celebrate after capturing the, previously ISIS held, village of Abo Muhammad during a peshmerga offensive near Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The offensive, which went unchallenged after ISIS left the area ahead of the attack, saw the peshmerga capture 15 villages along the Kirkuk front line. The objective of the offensive was to expand the safety zone around Kirkuk, stopping militants from firing missiles and rockets in to the city of Kirkuk. 3 peshmerga were killed and 24 wounded due to improvised explosive devices left behind by the militants. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_PUSH_08_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 11/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga T62 tank waits for the beginning of an offensive to expand a safety zone around the city of Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The offensive, which went unchallenged after ISIS left the area ahead of the attack, saw the peshmerga capture 15 villages along the Kirkuk front line. The objective of the offensive was to expand the safety zone around Kirkuk, stopping militants from firing missiles and rockets in to the city of Kirkuk. 3 peshmerga were killed and 24 wounded due to improvised explosive devices left behind by the militants. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_PUSH_03_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 11/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters inspect Islamic State improvised explosive devices near the village of Abo Muhammad. The devices were discovered during an offensive set to expand a safety zone around Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The offensive, which went unchallenged after ISIS left the area ahead of the attack, saw the peshmerga capture 15 villages along the Kirkuk front line. The objective of the offensive was to expand the safety zone around Kirkuk, stopping militants from firing missiles and rockets in to the city of Kirkuk. 3 peshmerga were killed and 24 wounded due to improvised explosive devices left behind by the militants. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_PUSH_06_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. Watched by an Italian Army instructor, a Kurdish peshmerga fighter zeros the sights on his Kalashnikov rifle during a training package run by coalition forces at a military training area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_14_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 11/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga humvees are seen near a burning haystack during an offensive by the peshmerga to expand a safety zone around Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The offensive, which went unchallenged after ISIS left the area ahead of the attack, saw the peshmerga capture 15 villages along the Kirkuk front line. The objective of the offensive was to expand the safety zone around Kirkuk, stopping militants from firing missiles and rockets in to the city of Kirkuk. 3 peshmerga were killed and 24 wounded due to improvised explosive devices left behind by the militants. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_PUSH_10_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 11/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga T62 tank waits for the beginning of an offensive to expand a safety zone around the city of Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The offensive, which went unchallenged after ISIS left the area ahead of the attack, saw the peshmerga capture 15 villages along the Kirkuk front line. The objective of the offensive was to expand the safety zone around Kirkuk, stopping militants from firing missiles and rockets in to the city of Kirkuk. 3 peshmerga were killed and 24 wounded due to improvised explosive devices left behind by the militants. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_PUSH_02_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. An Italian Army instructor advises a peshmerga fighter on how to adjust their sights during a training package run by coalition forces tutors at a military training area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_13_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. An German Army officer checks the grouping shot by a peshmerga fighter during a training package run by coalition forces tutors at a military training area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_03_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. A German coalition forces constructed bunker, used to teach Kurdish peshmerga on defensive tactics, is seen at a military training area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_01_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighter views the smoke from an IED explosion which claimed the lives of five peshmerga on the outskirts of Mansoria village during an offensive aimed at capturing 11 villages from the Islamic State near Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (30/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_11_MCR 1.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. A peshmerga sniper practices judging distances using the scope on his Romanian PSL sniper rifle during a training package run by coalition forces instructors at a military training area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_15_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighter listens to a German Army coalition forces instructor as he practices stopping bleeding on a simulated casualty during a training package being held at a military base near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_10_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga snipers practice judging distances using the scopes on their Romanian PSL sniper rifles during a training package run by coalition forces instructors at a military training area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_07_MCR.JPG
  • 30/06/2014.  Khanaqin, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters prepare to head out and relieve troops at the front line in Jalawla at a Kurdish peshmerga base in Khanaqin, Iraq. Counted by Kurds as part of their homeland, fighting in the town of Jalawla now consists of occasional skirmishes and exchanges of fire between snipers and heavy machine guns on both sides.<br />
<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. © Matt Cetti-Roberts
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_12_MCR.JPG
  • 30/06/2014.  Khanaqin, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters prepare to head out and relieve troops at the front line in Jalawla at a Kurdish peshmerga base in Khanaqin, Iraq. Counted by Kurds as part of their homeland, fighting in the town of Jalawla now consists of occasional skirmishes and exchanges of fire between snipers and heavy machine guns on both sides.<br />
<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. © Matt Cetti-Roberts
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_13_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga snipers practice judging distances using the scopes on their Romanian PSL sniper rifles during a training package run by coalition forces instructors at a military training area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_06_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters zero the sights on their Kalashnikov rifles as part of a training package run by coalition forces at a military training area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_12_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 11/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighters walks through the recently captured village of Abo Muhammad. The devices were discovered during an offensive set to expand a safety zone around Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The offensive, which went unchallenged after ISIS left the area ahead of the attack, saw the peshmerga capture 15 villages along the Kirkuk front line. The objective of the offensive was to expand the safety zone around Kirkuk, stopping militants from firing missiles and rockets in to the city of Kirkuk. 3 peshmerga were killed and 24 wounded due to improvised explosive devices left behind by the militants. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_PUSH_07_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 11/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters wait in a sandy field for the beginning of an offensive to expand a safety zone around the city of Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The offensive, which went unchallenged after ISIS left the area ahead of the attack, saw the peshmerga capture 15 villages along the Kirkuk front line. The objective of the offensive was to expand the safety zone around Kirkuk, stopping militants from firing missiles and rockets in to the city of Kirkuk. 3 peshmerga were killed and 24 wounded due to improvised explosive devices left behind by the militants. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_PUSH_04_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighter inspects his target on firing range after zeroing his rifle during a training package run by coalition forces instructors at a military training area near Erbil, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week long package, the first to be held with a complete peshmerga battalion, run by coalition forces mobile training teams (MTT) in Kurdistan with the aim to make the peshmerga more efficient in combatting the Islamic State. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_TRAIN_02_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 11/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighter, searching a road for improvised explosive devices, communicates with the crew of an armoured truck, during an offensive aimed at expanding a safety zone around Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The offensive, which went unchallenged after ISIS left the area ahead of the attack, saw the peshmerga capture 15 villages along the Kirkuk front line. The objective of the offensive was to expand the safety zone around Kirkuk, stopping militants from firing missiles and rockets in to the city of Kirkuk. 3 peshmerga were killed and 24 wounded due to improvised explosive devices left behind by the militants. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_PUSH_05_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 11/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga T62 tank drives in to position before the beginning of an offensive to expand a safety zone around the city of Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The offensive, which went unchallenged after ISIS left the area ahead of the attack, saw the peshmerga capture 15 villages along the Kirkuk front line. The objective of the offensive was to expand the safety zone around Kirkuk, stopping militants from firing missiles and rockets in to the city of Kirkuk. 3 peshmerga were killed and 24 wounded due to improvised explosive devices left behind by the militants. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_PUSH_01_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 29/06/2014. Khanaqin, UKKhanaqin, Iraq. Two Kurdish peshmerga fighters look at a video clip on a mobile phone as another sleeps at a Kurdish peshmerga base in Khanaqin, Iraq.<br />
 ween snipers and heavy machine guns on both sides.<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_09_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmergas fighter watch the smoke from an IED explosion which claimed the lives of five peshmerga on the outskirts of Mansoria village during an offensive aimed at capturing 11 villages from the Islamic State near Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (30/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_10_MCR.jpg
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga are seen with an EOD armoured vehicle after the destruction of one of many IEDs around the village of Mansoria near Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (30/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_19_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighter watches the smoke plumes from two large bombs dropped by coalition air support to suppress ISIS positions in the village of Mansoria during an offensive aimed at capturing 11 villages from the Islamic State near Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (30/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_09_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters work on a heavy machine gun during an offensive aimed at capturing 11 villages from the Islamic State near Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (30/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_12_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighter watches the smoke plumes from two large bombs dropped by coalition air support to suppress ISIS positions in the village of Mansoria during an offensive aimed at capturing 11 villages from the Islamic State near Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (30/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_08_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 29/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighter rests on a sandbag wall at a front line near to Kirkuk, Iraq, the evening before an offensive to take 11 villages from the Islamic State.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (29/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_01_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 01/09/2015. Bashiqa, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighter cleans an M84 general purpose machine gun during downtime at a peshmerga position on Bashiqa Mountain near Mosul.<br />
<br />
Bashiqa Mountain, towering over the town of the same name, is now a heavily fortified front line. Kurdish peshmerga, having withdrawn to the mountain after the August 2014 ISIS offensive, now watch over Islamic State held territory from their sandbagged high-ground positions. Regular exchanges of fire take place between the Kurds and the Islamic militants with the occupied Iraqi city of Mosul forming the backdrop.<br />
<br />
The town of Bashiqa, a formerly mixed town that had a population of Yazidi, Kurd, Arab and Shabak, now lies empty apart from insurgents. Along with several other urban sprawls the town forms one of the gateways to Iraq's second largest city that will need to be dealt with should the Kurds be called to advance on Mosul. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_BASHIQA_03_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 29/06/2014. Khanaqin, UK Khanaqin, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters prepare to head out and relieve troops at the front line in Jalawla at a Kurdish peshmerga base in Khanaqin, Iraq. Counted by Kurds as part of their homeland, fighting in the town of Jalawla now consists of occasional skirmishes and exchanges of fire between snipers and heavy machine guns on both sides.<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_06_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 29/06/2014. Khanaqin, UK Khanaqin, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighter, with his rifle hanging on his bunk bed, relaxes at a peshmerga base in Khanaqin, Iraq. Counted by Kurds as part of their homeland, fighting in the town of Jalawla now consists of occasional skirmishes and exchanges of fire between snipers and heavy machine guns on both sides.<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_03_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga evacuate a wounded colleague, who later died of his wounds, after he and three other fighters triggered an IED in the village of Mansoria near Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (30/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_15_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Two Kurdish peshmerga fighters wait on the back of an armoured Humvee for the start of an offensive to re-take 11 villages from ISIS in the Kirkuk, Iraq, area.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (30/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_03_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga colonel is seen close to the village of Mansoria during an offensive aimed at capturing 11 villages from the Islamic State near Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (30/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_13_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga captain watches the start of a firefight from the turret of his armoured Humvee vehicle during an offensive to re-take 11 villages in the Kirkuk area from the Islamic State.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (30/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_05_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga sharp shooters are seen on a hill during an offensive aimed at capturing 11 villages from the Islamic State near Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (30/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_06_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters fire a heavy machine gun into the village of Mansoria during an offensive aimed at capturing 11 villages from the Islamic State near Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (30/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_07_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters look in to no man's land and ISIS controlled territory as they prepare to take part in an offensive to capture 11 villages from the Islamic State near Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (30/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_04_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 29/06/2014. Khanaqin, UK Khanaqin, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighter stands in the doorway of a sentry post at a Kurdish peshmerga base in Khanaqin, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_22_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/06/2014. Khanaqin, UK  Khanaqin, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters prepare to head out and relieve troops at the front line in Jalawla at a Kurdish peshmerga base in Khanaqin, Iraq. Counted by Kurds as part of their homeland, fighting in the town of Jalawla now consists of occasional skirmishes and exchanges of fire between snipers and heavy machine guns on both sides.<br />
<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_10_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters travel in the back of a pickup truck armed with a heavy machine gun as they prepare to take part in an offensive to capture 7 villages from the Islamic State near Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (30/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_02_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighter surveys the village of Mansoria during an offensive aimed at capturing 11 villages from the Islamic State near Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (30/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_14_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 29/06/2014. Khanaqin, UK  Khanaqin, Iraq. A young Kurdish peshmerga fighter, who has not completed his military training, uses a mobile phone on his bunk bed at a peshmerga base in Khanaqin, Iraq. Counted by Kurds as part of their homeland, fighting in the town of Jalawla now consists of occasional skirmishes and exchanges of fire between snipers and heavy machine guns on both sides.<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_23_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/06/2014. Khanaqin, UK  Khanaqin, Iraq. The equipment of a young Kurdish peshmerga is seen in Jalawla, Iraq. Counted by Kurds as part of their homeland, fighting in the town of Jalawla now consists of occasional skirmishes and exchanges of fire between snipers and heavy machine guns on both sides.<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_20_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 29/06/2014. Khanaqin, UK Khanaqin, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters prepare ammunition for a 14.5mm NSV heavy machine gun at a Kurdish peshmerga base in Khanaqin, Iraq. Counted by Kurds as part of their homeland, fighting in the nearby town of Jalawla now consists of occasional skirmishes and exchanges of fire between snipers and heavy machine guns on both sides.<br />
<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_07_MCR.JPG
  • 20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. A peshmerga T-55 tank points its gun toward Islamic State held positions as Kurdish forces carry out an operation to retake the ISIS held town of Bashiqa, Iraq, today (20/10/2016).<br />
<br />
Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br />
<br />
Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_MOSUL_PESH_14_MCR.CR2
  • 20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters stand for a group photo taken by a colleague as they wait for the start of a joint Iraqi Army and peshmerga operation to retake Mosul from Islamic State militants today (20/10/2016).<br />
<br />
Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br />
<br />
Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_MOSUL_PESH_03_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 29/06/2014. Khanaqin, UK Khanaqin, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters prepare to head out and relieve troops at the front line in Jalawla at a Kurdish peshmerga base in Khanaqin, Iraq. Counted by Kurds as part of their homeland, fighting in the town of Jalawla now consists of occasional skirmishes and exchanges of fire between snipers and heavy machine guns on both sides.<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_25_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/06/2014. Khanaqin, UK Khanaqin, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga soldier mans a twin 14.5mm NSV heavy machine gun at a Kurdish peshmerga base in Khanaqin, Iraq, as fighters prepare to head out and relieve troops at the front line in Jalawla. Counted by Kurds as part of their homeland, fighting in the town of Jalawla now consists of occasional skirmishes and exchanges of fire between snipers and heavy machine guns on both sides.<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_14_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 29/06/2014. Khanaqin, UK Khanaqin, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters prepare to head out and relieve troops at the front line in Jalawla at a Kurdish peshmerga base in Khanaqin, Iraq. Counted by Kurds as part of their homeland, fighting in the town of Jalawla now consists of occasional skirmishes and exchanges of fire between snipers and heavy machine guns on both sides.<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_05_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 29/06/2014. Khanaqin, UK  Khanaqin, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga checks his mobile phone before sleeping at a Kurdish peshmerga base in Khanaqin, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_08_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga EOD technicians are seen with their armoured vehicle after detonating one of many IEDs around the village of Mansoria near Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (30/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_16_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/09/2015. Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga are seen with an EOD armoured vehicle after the destruction of one of many IEDs around the village of Mansoria near Kirkuk, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Supported by large amounts of coalition airstrikes, members of the Iraqi-Kurdish peshmerga today (30/09/2015) took part in an offensive to take seven villages across a large front near Kirkuk, Iraq. By mid afternoon the Kurds had reached most of their objectives, but suffered around 10 casualties all to improvised explosive devices. All seven villages were originally Kurdish and settled with other ethnic groups during the Iraqi Arabisation process of the 1970's and 80's. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESH_ATT_18_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 29/06/2014. Khanaqin, UK Khanaqin, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters stand in line for dinner at a Kurdish peshmerga base in Khanaqin, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_24_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/06/2014. Khanaqin, UK Khanaqin, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighter peers to see the road ahead from the back of a peshmerga pick up truck in Jalawla, Iraq. Counted by Kurds as part of their homeland, fighting in the town of Jalawla now consists of occasional skirmishes and exchanges of fire between snipers and heavy machine guns on both sides.<br />
  The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_15_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/06/2014. Khanaqin, UK  Khanaqin, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters prepare to head out and relieve troops at the front line in Jalawla at a Kurdish peshmerga base in Khanaqin, Iraq. Counted by Kurds as part of their homeland, fighting in the town of Jalawla now consists of occasional skirmishes and exchanges of fire between snipers and heavy machine guns on both sides.<br />
<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_11_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 29/06/2014. Khanaqin, UK Khanaqin, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighters relax by playing cards on bunk beds at a peshmerga base in Khanaqin, Iraq.<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_04_MCR.JPG
  • 20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. Peshmerga fighters look towards the burning town of Tiskharab, where Kurdish colleagues are clearing out Islamic State positions during an operation to retake the ISIS held town of Bashiqa Iraq, today (20/10/2016).<br />
<br />
Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br />
<br />
Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_MOSUL_PESH_35_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 02/09/2015. Bashiqa, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga officer stands in the early morning sunlight at a defensive position located on the top of Bashiqa Mountain, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Bashiqa Mountain, towering over the town of the same name, is now a heavily fortified front line. Kurdish peshmerga, having withdrawn to the mountain after the August 2014 ISIS offensive, now watch over Islamic State held territory from their sandbagged high-ground positions. Regular exchanges of fire take place between the Kurds and the Islamic militants with the occupied Iraqi city of Mosul forming the backdrop.<br />
<br />
The town of Bashiqa, a formerly mixed town that had a population of Yazidi, Kurd, Arab and Shabak, now lies empty apart from insurgents. Along with several other urban sprawls the town forms one of the gateways to Iraq's second largest city that will need to be dealt with should the Kurds be called to advance on Mosul. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_BASHIQA_18_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 09/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters use a battering ram to forcibly enter a building during training run by German soldiers at a partially finished housing estate near Erbil, Iraq. <br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week platoon level infantry training package run by coalition forces aimed at improving the efficiency of the Iraqi Security Forces. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_Pesh_training_15_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/06/2014. Khanaqin, UK Khanaqin, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters receive supplies at the front line in Jalawla, Iraq. Counted by Kurds as part of their homeland, fighting in the town of Jalawla now consists of occasional skirmishes and exchanges of fire between snipers and heavy machine guns on both sides.<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_21_MCR.JPG
  • 20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighter fires a PKM machine gun at Islamic State positions during an offensive to retake a large area around the ISIS held town of Bashiqa, Iraq, today (20/10/2016).<br />
<br />
Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br />
<br />
Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_MOSUL_PESH_31_MCR.JPG
  • 20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. Three Kurdish T-55 tanks advances as peshmerga fighters start a large offensive to retake the Bashiqa area from Islamic State militants today (20/10/2016).<br />
<br />
Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br />
<br />
Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_MOSUL_PESH_17_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 09/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters line up as they learn how to enter a garden during an urban warfare training session run by German soldiers at a partially finished housing estate near Erbil, Iraq. <br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week platoon level infantry training package run by coalition forces aimed at improving the efficiency of the Iraqi Security Forces. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_Pesh_training_01_MCR.JPG
  • 20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. A peshmerga gunner fires a heavy machine gun at ISIS positions as Kurdish forces start a large offensive to retake the Bashiqa area from Islamic State militants today (20/10/2016).<br />
<br />
Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br />
<br />
Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_MOSUL_PESH_22_MCR.JPG
  • 20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga tank crewman uses binoculars to look for targets during part of a large offensive to retake the Bashiqa area from Islamic State militants today (20/10/2016).<br />
<br />
Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br />
<br />
Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_MOSUL_PESH_09_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 01/09/2015. Bashiqa, Iraq. Islamic State held territory, including Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, is seen from Kurdish peshmerga defensive positions on Bashiqa Mountain.<br />
<br />
Bashiqa Mountain, towering over the town of the same name, is now a heavily fortified front line. Kurdish peshmerga, having withdrawn to the mountain after the August 2014 ISIS offensive, now watch over Islamic State held territory from their sandbagged high-ground positions. Regular exchanges of fire take place between the Kurds and the Islamic militants with the occupied Iraqi city of Mosul forming the backdrop.<br />
<br />
The town of Bashiqa, a formerly mixed town that had a population of Yazidi, Kurd, Arab and Shabak, now lies empty apart from insurgents. Along with several other urban sprawls the town forms one of the gateways to Iraq's second largest city that will need to be dealt with should the Kurds be called to advance on Mosul. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_BASHIQA_09_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 09/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters use a battering ram to forcibly enter a building during training run by German soldiers at a partially finished housing estate near Erbil, Iraq. <br />
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The training is part of a four week platoon level infantry training package run by coalition forces aimed at improving the efficiency of the Iraqi Security Forces. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_Pesh_training_12_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 09/03/2015. Erbil, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters practice clearing rooms, watched by their German army instructor (left), during  an urban warfare training session at a partially finished housing estate near Erbil, Iraq. <br />
<br />
The training is part of a four week platoon level infantry training package run by coalition forces aimed at improving the efficiency of the Iraqi Security Forces. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_Pesh_training_11_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/06/2014. Khanaqin, UKKhanaqin, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters walk from their positions to receive supplies at the front line in Jalawla, Iraq. Counted by Kurds as part of their homeland, fighting in the town of Jalawla now consists of occasional skirmishes and exchanges of fire between snipers and heavy machine guns on both sides.<br />
<br />
The peshmerga, roughly translated as those who fight, is at present engaged in fighting ISIS all along the borders of the relatively safe semi-automatous province of Iraqi-Kurdistan. Though a well organised and experienced fighting force they are currently facing ISIS insurgents armed with superior armament taken from the Iraqi Army after they retreated on several fronts. Photo credit : Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_PESHMERGAKH_19_MCR.JPG
  • 20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. A Peshmerga fighter looks towards the burning town of Tiskharab, where colleagues are clearing out Islamic State positions during an operation to retake the ISIS held town of Bashiqa Iraq, today (20/10/2016).<br />
<br />
Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br />
<br />
Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_MOSUL_PESH_33_MCR.JPG
  • 20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. A peshmerga fighter looks towards a large explosion, possibly from a coalition airstrike, during a offensive to retake the Islamic State held city of Bashiqa, Iraq, today {(date}).<br />
<br />
Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br />
<br />
Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_MOSUL_PESH_32_MCR.JPG
  • 20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga forces move along an ISIS dug trench as take part in an offensive to retake the area around the Islamic State held city of Bashiqa, Iraq, today (20/10/2016).<br />
<br />
Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br />
<br />
Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_MOSUL_PESH_28_MCR.JPG
  • 20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. A peshmerga fighter pauses behind an earthen berm during a large offensive to retake ISIS held areas around Bashiqa near Mosul today (20/10/2016).<br />
<br />
Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br />
<br />
Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_MOSUL_PESH_24_MCR.JPG
  • 20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. A peshmerga fighter pauses behind an earthen berm during a large offensive to retake ISIS held areas around Bashiqa near Mosul today (20/10/2016).<br />
<br />
Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br />
<br />
Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_MOSUL_PESH_23_MCR.JPG
  • 20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. Smoke obscures a Kurdish T-55 tank after firing at ISIS held positions as peshmerga fighters start a large offensive to retake the Bashiqa area from Islamic State militants today (20/10/2016).<br />
<br />
Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br />
<br />
Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_MOSUL_PESH_21_MCR.JPG
  • 20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. A Kurdish T-55 tank advances as peshmerga fighters start a large offensive to retake the Bashiqa area from Islamic State militants today (20/10/2016).<br />
<br />
Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br />
<br />
Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_MOSUL_PESH_20_MCR.JPG
  • 20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. A Kurdish T-55 tank advances as peshmerga fighters start a large offensive to retake the Bashiqa area from Islamic State militants today (20/10/2016).<br />
<br />
Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br />
<br />
Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_MOSUL_PESH_13_MCR.JPG
  • 20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. The commander of a Kurdish armoured personnel carrier flashes a V for victory sign as peshmerga fighters launch an offensive to retake the Bashiqa area from Islamic State militants today (20/10/2016).<br />
<br />
Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br />
<br />
Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_MOSUL_PESH_11_MCR.JPG
  • 20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga fighters advance at the beginning of a large offensive to retake the Bashiqa area from Islamic State militants today (20/10/2016).<br />
<br />
Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br />
<br />
Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_MOSUL_PESH_05_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 02/09/2015. Bashiqa, Iraq. As day breaks a Kurdish peshmerga fighter mans a sandbagged defensive position on Bashiqa Mountain, Iraq.<br />
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Bashiqa Mountain, towering over the town of the same name, is now a heavily fortified front line. Kurdish peshmerga, having withdrawn to the mountain after the August 2014 ISIS offensive, now watch over Islamic State held territory from their sandbagged high-ground positions. Regular exchanges of fire take place between the Kurds and the Islamic militants with the occupied Iraqi city of Mosul forming the backdrop.<br />
<br />
The town of Bashiqa, a formerly mixed town that had a population of Yazidi, Kurd, Arab and Shabak, now lies empty apart from insurgents. Along with several other urban sprawls the town forms one of the gateways to Iraq's second largest city that will need to be dealt with should the Kurds be called to advance on Mosul. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_BASHIQA_17_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 01/09/2015. Bashiqa, Iraq. A sandbagged bunker, used an Iranian Kurdish peshmerga group called PAK, is seen on the summit of Bashiqa Mountain, Iraq, where the group man defensive position alongside their Iraqi-Kurdish counterparts.<br />
<br />
Bashiqa Mountain, towering over the town of the same name, is now a heavily fortified front line. Kurdish peshmerga, having withdrawn to the mountain after the August 2014 ISIS offensive, now watch over Islamic State held territory from their sandbagged high-ground positions. Regular exchanges of fire take place between the Kurds and the Islamic militants with the occupied Iraqi city of Mosul forming the backdrop.<br />
<br />
The town of Bashiqa, a formerly mixed town that had a population of Yazidi, Kurd, Arab and Shabak, now lies empty apart from insurgents. Along with several other urban sprawls the town forms one of the gateways to Iraq's second largest city that will need to be dealt with should the Kurds be called to advance on Mosul. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_BASHIQA_14_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. o01/09/2015. Bashiqa, Iraq. A fighter belonging to Iranian Kurdish peshmerga from PAK fires a 60mm mortar from defensive emplacements on the summit of Bashiqa Mountain at ISIS locations within the town of the same name.<br />
<br />
Bashiqa Mountain, towering over the town of the same name, is now a heavily fortified front line. Kurdish peshmerga, having withdrawn to the mountain after the August 2014 ISIS offensive, now watch over Islamic State held territory from their sandbagged high-ground positions. Regular exchanges of fire take place between the Kurds and the Islamic militants with the occupied Iraqi city of Mosul forming the backdrop.<br />
<br />
The town of Bashiqa, a formerly mixed town that had a population of Yazidi, Kurd, Arab and Shabak, now lies empty apart from insurgents. Along with several other urban sprawls the town forms one of the gateways to Iraq's second largest city that will need to be dealt with should the Kurds be called to advance on Mosul. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_BASHIQA_13_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 01/09/2015. Bashiqa, Iraq. A Kurdish peshmerga fighter keeps watch from a position on top of Bashiqa Mountain near Mosul, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Bashiqa Mountain, towering over the town of the same name, is now a heavily fortified front line. Kurdish peshmerga, having withdrawn to the mountain after the August 2014 ISIS offensive, now watch over Islamic State held territory from their sandbagged high-ground positions. Regular exchanges of fire take place between the Kurds and the Islamic militants with the occupied Iraqi city of Mosul forming the backdrop.<br />
<br />
The town of Bashiqa, a formerly mixed town that had a population of Yazidi, Kurd, Arab and Shabak, now lies empty apart from insurgents. Along with several other urban sprawls the town forms one of the gateways to Iraq's second largest city that will need to be dealt with should the Kurds be called to advance on Mosul. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_BASHIQA_08_MCR.JPG
  • © Licensed to London News Pictures. 01/09/2015. Bashiqa, Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga chat between guard shifts inside their accommodation on the top of the Bashiqa Mountain near Mosul, Iraq.<br />
<br />
Bashiqa Mountain, towering over the town of the same name, is now a heavily fortified front line. Kurdish peshmerga, having withdrawn to the mountain after the August 2014 ISIS offensive, now watch over Islamic State held territory from their sandbagged high-ground positions. Regular exchanges of fire take place between the Kurds and the Islamic militants with the occupied Iraqi city of Mosul forming the backdrop.<br />
<br />
The town of Bashiqa, a formerly mixed town that had a population of Yazidi, Kurd, Arab and Shabak, now lies empty apart from insurgents. Along with several other urban sprawls the town forms one of the gateways to Iraq's second largest city that will need to be dealt with should the Kurds be called to advance on Mosul. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
    LNP_BASHIQA_04_MCR.JPG
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