Kurdish troops from Iraq claim to have recaptured the town of Rabia, after ongoing fights with Islamic State militants. During the battle for regaining Rabia, the Kurds suffered major casualties. Due to the explosion of three suicide car bombers which blew up near the Kurdish troops, a senior commander lost his life. The city of Rabia lies at about 60 miles north-west of Mosul a city controlled by the Islamic State. The Islamic State militants have been trying to eliminate the Kurdish forces present in Syria. Series of bomb attacks have been reported in Baghdad, the capital of Irak, as well as in the city of Karbala.
Kurdish officials have stated that Peshmerga Special Forces were able to make good progress during the offensive over Rabia. Officials stated that by the end of the day, Rabia was definitely under Kurdish control. They managed to regain control over the town and nearby border. However, the fights went on apparently because there had been some remaining resistance in the area surrounding Rabia. Apparently the recapture of Rabia is an extremely helpful strategic move. It is believed that the supply lines for the Islamic State will be shut down or at least slowed down. With this in mind, another strategic move would be possible: regaining control over the town of Sinjar and the nearby mountain area. Sinjar was captured by Islamic State fighters in August. Thousands of Yazidi minority civilians had to evacuate the area in order to save their lives.
The other side of the border is controlled by Syrian Kurds. They have also reported attacks from the Islamic State. More than 30 Syrian Kurdish fighters are believed to be dead. The deaths are reported to be cause during the time the Islamic State took over the villages from south the border.
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In other news, Turkey has been forced to take a stand. After several hits made it to their territory during the fights between Islamic State fighters and Kurdish fighters, Turkish tanks have relocated and have taken position on a hill near the border with Syria. The government in Turkey is supposed to release a motion to the Parliament, in order to authorize the initiation of military actions against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.