The Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga and Iraqi Army forces successfully executed a joint operation against the Islamic State (IS) in the areas surrounding the Qarachogh mountain, located outside the district of Makhmour. This coordinated military effort saw the 14th Infantry Brigade of the Peshmerga Ministry joining forces with the 50th Infantry Brigade and the 14th Division of the Iraqi Army.

According to a statement released by the Peshmerga Ministry, the operation strategically targeted key areas including the villages of Kushaf, the slopes of Mount Qarachogh, and the banks of the Great Zab River. The primary objective was to locate and eliminate IS hideouts and bases in these regions.

This joint operation is a part of ongoing efforts to address security vulnerabilities that emerged following the Kurdistan Region's independence referendum in 2017. In the aftermath of the referendum, the Iraqi army and pro-Iran Hashd al-Shaabi forces compelled the Kurdish Peshmerga to withdraw from disputed territories such as Kirkuk, Makhmour, and Nineveh. This withdrawal created security voids that IS militants have since exploited.

In response to these threats, the Peshmerga and Iraqi forces have been conducting joint operations aimed at preventing the resurgence of IS in these strategically significant areas. The recent operation was marked by precision, utilizing intelligence gathered from local sources and aerial surveillance to accurately target known IS positions.