Special to WorldTribune.com

BAGHDAD — Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has launched an offensive against Iraq’s northern autonomous region of Kurdistan.

ISIL has been battling forces sponsored by the Kurdish Regional Government in northern Iraq. On Aug. 3, ISIL captured two Kurdish towns and a crude oil field in what was termed a major victory.

“The terrorist gangs of the Islamic State have taken control of Mosul Dam after the withdrawal of Kurdish forces without a fight,” Iraqi state television said.

The towns captured by ISIL were identified as Sinjar and Zumar. Officials said ISIL, armed with mortars and rocket-propelled grenades, stormed Zumar from three directions as the Kurds fled.

“The fighters arrived in the border triangle between Iraq, Syria and Turkey,” ISIL said.

The ISIL campaign against Kurdistan began as the Islamic force was struggling to maintain its advance toward Baghdad. The Iraq Army, backed by Iranian-backed forces, have blocked ISIL from seizing Samara, a key town 100 kilometers north of the capital.

ISIL also captured the Ein Zalah oil field in the north. The movement already controls four wells in Iraq.

Kurdistan consists of three provinces in northern Iraq, including a newly-established U.S. military operations center in Irbil. ISIL has been moving toward the Dohuk province, part of Kurdistan.

“Hundreds fled leaving vehicles and a huge number of weapons and munitions and the brothers control many areas,” ISIL said.

For its part, the Kurdish government has vowed a counter-offensive to retake Sinjar. Officials said Peshmerga, or Kurdish forces, were waiting for reinforcements to arrive for an imminent attack on ISIL.

“Peshmerga are planning an operating, and will have a big victory in the area soon,” Anwar Haji Othman, an official from the KRG Peshmerga Ministry, said. “ISIL will have no choice but to leave this country, and they know this very well.”

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