YPG forces engage in firefight around Shingal

Mount Sinjar was captured in August this year by militants who killed many Yazidis and took others prisoners. These events prompted US to put together a coalition against the militant group and start an air campaign against.

Iraqi, US , Australian and British airforces undertook many missions to airdrop food and supplies on Sinjar mountains to the trapped Yazidis. One Iraq helicopter crashed during an airdrop and rescue mission on 12th August killing the pilot and Australian C-130J aircraft was fired upon by enemy during the same time.

Over the last 15 days, the militants have lost a lot of ground in northern Iraq to Kurdish forces.Iraqi Peshmerga forces have advanced from their front lines west of Mosul Dam, while on a second front, Syrian YPG forces advanced from the north west