Kurdish media channels quoted Mohamed Jori, head of Peshmerga forces in Nugul town, as saying that U.S. and Peshmerga forces were trapped by Islamic State members on the borders of Dawi region as they carrying out an operation against the militant group.

“The troops entered Qurijay village, southeast of Tuz Khurmatu on Kefri road, where they were trapped by the militants. Fierce clashes then broke out between the militants and the forces,” he added.

Many vehicles, according to Jori, were burnt, which forced the militants to retreat. “Huge amount of weapons and explosives were confiscated.”

Many militants were killed, Jori said without giving the accurate number of them.

Thousands of IS militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition, was launched in October 2016 to fight the militant group.

Reporter’s code: 50101