IRAQ-PKK FIGHTERS PKK forces join Peshmerga in fight against Islamic State

Record ID: 375763

  • Title: IRAQ-PKK FIGHTERS PKK forces join Peshmerga in fight against Islamic State
  • Date: 17th August 2014
  • Summary: MAKHMUR TOWN, SOUTHWEST ARBIL, IRAQ (AUGUST 17, 2014)(REUTERS) MAKHMUR TOWN SMOKE BILLOWING FROM TARGET KURDISH WORKERS PARTY (PKK) FIGHTER PATROLLING CAMP SEVERAL PKK FIGHTERS SITTING INSIDE HEADQUARTERS TWO PKK FIGHTERS SITTING TOGETHER PKK FIGHTER PKK FLAGS AND PICTURE OF PKK LEADER ABDULLAH OCELAN ON WALL (SOPUNDBITE)(Kurdish) PKK FIGHTER, SADEQ KOYA, SAYING: "Islamic
  • Embargoed: 1st September 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAC1J3JKH2IBISICV9LF2S6XAFH
  • Story Text: Battle-hardened Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) fighters have joined Peshmerga forces in their fight against the Islamic State militants.
    The PKK, which has spent three decades fighting for autonomy for Turkey's Kurds, urged all Kurds early this month to take up the fight against the Sunni militants of Islamic State, who have expanded their advance across Iraq into Kurdish-controlled territory.
    The Kurds populate an area that extends from southeastern Turkey through northeastern Syria and northern Iraq, into western Iran.
    Men and Women in baggy sirwal pants returned to their camp at the recently captured town of Makhmour, several kilometres southwest of the Kurdish city of Arbil.
    Once home to around 14,000 PKK members and their families, Makhmur is almost almost empty, streets are deserted and several houses bear traces of attack.
    PKK fighter Sadeq Koya, played down the power of the Islamic State, saying that news on the brutality of the group has helped it seizes towns in swift attack without resistance.
    "Islamic militant insurgents had not seized Makhmur by weapons, but through intimidation and psychological warfare. This is why the Peshmerga withdrew without firing a bullet and eventually residents of the camp left. However, we returned and regained control" Koya said.
    Koya had joined with a number of fighters from the group's stronghold in the Qandil Mountains to help secure Makhmur.
    "As a Kurdish woman, I harbour hatred towards the Islamic State and those who support it behind the scenes. Therefore, we will continue our fight. We are not afraid of being killed at the hands of the Islamic militants in defence of women who are dying of thirst and those who are raped by the militants. We are ready to sacrifice ourselves in defence of the Kurdish women" said PKK female veteran commander Sedar Botan.
    Islamic State inflicted a heavy defeat on Iraq's Kurds on Sunday (August 17) with a rapid advance through three towns to reach the Mosul Dam, the largest in Iraq and a major source of electricity.
    The PKK, currently engaged in a peace process with the Turkish state, is based in the mountains of northern Iraq but also has fighters in Turkey. It is also allied with rebel Kurdish forces fighting Islamic State in Syria.
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