At the same time, Peshmerga forces, aided by US air support, managed to drive back IS forces advancing on the south-western outskirts of the town of Sinjar, the news agency adds.
The US-led coalition forces launched a series of airstrikes against the IS positions on Wednesday, according to a statement issued by the Combined Joint Task Force posted on the US Department of Defense’s official website. However, General John Allen, the US envoy for the global coalition to counter the IS, has pointed out that it would take more time and training for the local forces to retake the city of Mosul, which is currently held by the Islamist group.
"We expect we will see the effectiveness of this force improve over time and we believe that they will be able to take back the population centers and municipalities," Allen said, according to Al Jazeera.
