Yezidi force trained for recapture of Shingal

DUHOK, Kurdistan Region—The Kurdish Peshmerga Ministry has formed a Yezidi armed force in preparation for the recapture of the Yezidi Kurdish town of Shingal that fell to the Islamic State (ISIS) last summer.

“The fighters have received military and combat training in several camps in Duhok, including Zawita and Atrush,” the force’s field commander told Rudaw.

The commander said that 650 Yezidi men have completed their training and deployed to Mount Shingal fully armed.

“1000 more continue to receive their training in the Dohuk camps,” he added.

Members of the new force are from the town of Shingal and the open plains of Mosul who fled to Peshmerga-controlled areas in August after ISIS militants invaded their region.

“We are more experienced fighters as we know geography of the area which will give us the advantage during battle,” said one of the Yezidi trainees.

According to Kurdish military officials the Yezidis have been in training for more than two months and they are expected to participate in the liberation of their area from ISIS.