The success moved the Kurds a step closer to retaking the ISIS stronghold of Mosul. Arif Tayfur, head of the Peshmerga in Khazir, said: “The plan was to regain nine villages from Daesh and I can say that we have been successful.

The security service also claimed 14 car bombs were destroyed during the assault.

“We took five villages from ISIS yesterday and this morning we re-launched the operation and captured two villages on one side of the river, and we have just recaptured the other two villages, Express reports.

140 ISIS Terrorists Killed, 9 Village Liberated in Kurdish Offensive Near Mosul

“Our forces are now clearing the area of mines and improvised explosive devices."

Tayfur told the Sun: “Next we have to join up with the Peshmerga in Gwer and the Iraqi army in Makhmour.

“Another aim of the attack was to protect our citizens and protect Erbil. We also showed them the strength of Peshmerga.”

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