ISIL built tunnels deter Peshmerga advance

World Today

ISIL built tunnels deterred Peshmerga advance

Many have been wondering why a 60-nation coalition is struggling to defeat ISIL. One reason is the terrorist group avoids battlefield engagements, preferring to hide in tunnels. Underground they’re safe from satellite detection, drone strikes and artillery.

CCTV’s Michal Bardavid reports the story.
Follow Michal Bardavid on Twitter @michal_bardavid

ISIL’s tunnels-a primitive but effective defense against the enemies. Yet calling them tunnels doesn’t quite capture what the group has constructed.

It’s more of an underground outpost. The tunnels go deep and bunkers built to survive heavy bombardment also provide comfort. Rooms with prefabricated custom walls have electrical power. There are lamps, a fridge, water, food and medicine – almost everything one needs to survive.

Some rooms have televisions and libraries, and a camera system that allows them to monitor the area from underground.

The entrances are usually booby-trapped, a major obstacle for Peshmerga and Iraqi forces trying to extract the fighters from their tunnel complexes.