ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Kurdish forces liberated Shingal, a predominately Yezidi town besieged since August by Islamic State (ISIS) militants.

Peshmerga forces have forced ISIS militants to withdraw from the town after their heavy losses and defeat, PDK official Saeed Shingali revealed to Rudaw.

“ISIS militants are fleeing the city defeated” Zaid Ali, a Peshmerga commander on the front-lines said.

He also said, “ISIS militants are suffering heavy losses in Bahaj town, nearby Shingal”.

Kurdish leaders celebrated the victory over ISIS militants, whereby remaining Yezidis were able to reach safety, having resisted capture by ISIS.

The operation to liberate Shingal town was conducted solely by Peshmerga forces, which has forced ISIS to retreat.

“The ISIS and its militants are fleeing to Syria rapidly” Rudaw’s reporter in Shingal said.

“This is the biggest victory against ISIS since the beginning of the War. We have managed to open a corridor so the people stuck on the mountain can reach safety”, Head of Kurdistan’s national security council Masrur Barzani said.

Rudaw