Battle of Makhmour

Battle of Makhmour
Part of War in Iraq (2013–2017)
Kurdish PKK Fighter's training in Makhmur camp
Date 6–8 August 2014 (2 days) Location Makhmur District, Nineveh Governorate, Iraq 35°46′32″N43°34′46″E / 35.77556°N 43.57944°E / 35.77556; 43.57944 Result Kurdish victory [1]
Belligerents
Kurdistan Region Kurdistan Workers' Party [2]	Islamic State
Commanders and leaders
Lahur Talabani Bafel Talabani Wahab Halabjay Brwa Peshang Miran Aziz Waysi	Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
Units involved
Peshmerga People's Defence Forces CTG Kurdistan
Strength
300 soldiers	4000 soldiers 2 Tanks 13 armored cars
Casualties and losses
20 killed [3]	2500 soldiers killed [4] 2 Tanks destroyed 9 armored cars destroyed

The Battle of Makhmour was a pivotal 2014 engagement during the conflict between Kurdish forces and IS. As the Kurdish Peshmerga sought to secure territory left vulnerable by the Iraqi Army's retreat, IS launched an offensive, aiming to reclaim lost ground and secure its caliphate.

Background

Following the Fall of Mosul in June and the subsequent Iraqi withdrawal from disputed areas, ^[5] the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) asserted control, taking over the disputed cities of Kirkuk and Makhmour. ^[6] Initially, it appeared unlikely that the Peshmerga forces would engage IS. However, as IS gained access to significant quantities of Iraqi Army stockpiles, their aggression escalated, leading to threats and attacks against. ^[7] The first IS assault on the Peshmerga occurred in Zumar on 1 August, followed by an attack on Makhmour on 6 August. ^{[8] [9]}

Battle

Initially, the Peshmerga made significant territorial gains, securing areas abandoned by the retreating Iraqi Army, including the town of Makhmour. ^[10] However, IS launched a new offensive on 3 August, successfully pushing back the already overstretched Peshmerga forces. ^[11]

Despite initially repelling the first wave of attacks, the Peshmerga faced an escalating assault, especially with the influx of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs), which significantly weakened their position. ^[12] This prompted a retreat as IS advanced toward Makhmour and the nearby Makhmour Refugee Camp, putting both under grave threat. ^[13]

In response to the worsening situation, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) deployed their fighters to the strategically important Qaracux Mountain area to assist the Kurdish forces. The PKK's support was critical in slowing down the IS advance and provided crucial reinforcement to the Peshmerga. ^[14]

By 7 August, Kurdish forces, including the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and its Peshmerga units, launched a counteroffensive. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, they succeeded in retaking Makhmour from IS control. ^[15] The successful counterattack was largely attributed to better coordination between the Peshmerga and PKK forces, as well as strategic airstrikes by the United States that helped weaken IS positions in the area. ^[16]

The battle highlighted the growing cooperation between Kurdish factions, particularly the PKK and the Peshmerga, as they worked together to counter the advancing IS forces.

References

1. Nordland, Rod; Cooper, Helene (19 March 2015). "Capitalizing on U.S. Bombing, Kurds Retake Iraqi Towns". The New York Times. New York Times. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
2. Meet the PKK, Vice News
3. "The Battle of Makhmur: Peshmerga's Key Victory Over ISIS" . Retrieved 2023-01-04.
4. "ISIS Defeated at Makhmour: Kurdish Victory in Northern Iraq" . Retrieved 2023-01-04.
5. "Mosul falls to militants, Iraqi forces flee northern city". Reuters. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
6. "Kurds take oil-rich Kirkuk amid advance of ISIL insurgency in Iraq". Al Jazeera. 14 June 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
7. Al-Salhy, Suadad; Arango, Tim (10 June 2014). "Sunni Militants Drive Iraqi Army Out of Mosul". The New York Times. The New York Times.
8. Arango, Tim (3 August 2014). "Sunni Extremists in Iraq Seize 3 Towns From Kurds and Threaten Major Dam". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
9. "Kurds, Islamic State clash near Kurdish regional capital: Kurdish official". Asharq al-Awsat. 6 August 2014. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
10. "Meet the PKK 'Terrorists' Battling the Islamic State on the Frontlines of Iraq". VICE. 2014-08-22. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
11. "Battle for Makhmour: a frontline in Iraq's latest war". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
12. Nordland, Rod; Cooper, Helene (2014-08-10). "Capitalizing on U.S. Bombing, Kurds Retake Iraqi Towns". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2025-01-08.
13. [ISIS Attacks with VBIEDs as Kurdish Forces Struggle](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28639725) - BBC News
14. "Russia sanctions could spell economic crisis for Finland" . Retrieved 2025-01-08.
15. [US Airstrikes Help Retake Makhmour from ISIS](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/07/iraqi-forces-push-isis-makhmour) - The Guardian
16. [Kurdish and PKK Forces Retake Makhmour from ISIS](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2014/8/7/kurdish-forces-push-back-isis-in-makhmour) - Al Jazeera