WASHINGTON
U.S.-led coalition forces helped Kurdish security forces repel an attack by ISIL on Kirkuk last weekend, U.S. Central command said Tuesday.
"From Saturday through Monday, coalition forces conducted 32 airstrikes in support of the KSF (Kurdish Security Forces) in Kirkuk, neutralizing or destroying ISIL armored tactical and armored vehicles, numerous ISIL formations and fighting positions, buildings and other equipment," read a statement from CENTCOM.
Kurdish forces on Jan. 30 launched a counter attack against ISIL on eight bridges the militant group captured during its initial assault on the Iraqi city but by the end of the day, peshmerga forces successfully recaptured five of the bridges, according to the CENTCOM.
The following day, the forces continued to advance and eventually recaptured the remaining three bridges.
"Afterwards, the KSF improved and reinforced the former ISIL positions in preparation for a counterattack which took place on Feb. 1. ISIL attempted to regain all the crossing points with a synchronized, multipronged attack, and was defeated by the KSF," it read.
CENTCOM currently assesses that ISIL’s capacity to conduct small scale operations is degraded and the group’s momentum is stalling.
