Special to WorldTribune.com

Vianney LE CAER is a freelance photojournalist (Instagram @vlecaer) currently based in Irbil – Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

As fighting is raging between the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and the Peshmerga in Gwer, only 40 kilometers now separate the forces of the “Caliphate” from Kurdistan’s capital city. As the possible fall of Irbil has now become a reality, Peshmerga from President Barzani’s Kurdish Democratic Party, as well as civilian sympathizers took part in a massive display of power on the streets of the capital. They all claimed they are ready to drive ISIL out of Kurdistan and protect their city.