Kirkuk Governor Najmiddin Karim said the guerrilla forces played a major role in the defence of Sinjar, Makhmur and Kirkuk, adding: "all our forces fought side by side and prevented the enemy entering Kirkuk."

HPG guerrillas left the mountains to fight ISIS when the gangs began to threaten South Kurdistan, playing a significant role in the defence of the region. While on the one hand raising the morale of the people of South Kurdistan, on the other it demonstrated that no force could withstand the unity of Kurdish forces.

Kirkuk Governor Najmiddin Karim spoke to ANF, thanking all the Kurdish forces that took part in the defence of Kirkuk, adding: "all our forces fought side by side and prevented the enemy entering Kirkuk. I would like to thank them all".

Guerrillas played a major role

Governor Karim said the people of Kirkuk knew very well that they would only be able to protect Kirkuk and the territory of Kurdistan with a unity of forces.

Governor Najmiddin Karim mentioned the role of the guerrilla forces in the defence of Sinjar, Makhmur and Kirkuk, adding: "The arrival of the guerrillas played a major role. Everyone knows this. I greet and thank them. I also thank the peshmerga who defended this land."