The Battle of Makhmour was a pivotal 2014 engagement during the ongoing conflict between Kurdish forces and ISIS. As the Kurdish Peshmerga sought to secure territory left vulnerable by the Iraqi Army's retreat, ISIS launched an offensive, aiming to reclaim lost ground and secure its caliphate.

Background

Following the Fall of Mosul in June and the subsequent Iraqi withdrawal from disputed areas, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) asserted control, taking over the disputed cities of Kirkuk and Makhmour. Initially, it appeared unlikely that the Peshmerga forces would engage ISIS. However, as ISIS gained access to significant quantities of Iraqi Army stockpiles, their aggression escalated, leading to threats and attacks against. The first ISIS assault on the Peshmerga occurred in Zumar on 1 August, followed by an attack on Makhmour on 6 August.

Battle

Initially, the Peshmerga made gains, securing territory left vacant by the Iraqi Army's retreat, including Makhmour. However, ISIS launched a fresh offensive on 3 August, effectively pushing back the overstretched Peshmerga forces.

Despite repelling the first wave of attacks, the Peshmerga faced intensified assaults, particularly with the influx of ISIS' vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs). This led the Peshmerga forces to retreat as the town and the Makhmour Refugee Camp came under significant risk. In response to the escalating situation, the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) deployed their fighters to the Qaracux Mountain area. Subsequently, on 7 August, the Peshmerga counterattacked, successfully recapturing the city.