The Road to Mosul
This segment of Vice News places viewers on the front lines of Mosul, where Kurdish soldiers called the Peshmerga are the sole remaining forces fighting against the Islamic State in Northern Iraq. Reporter Aris Roussinos and his camera crew participate in the Peshmerga’s battles by entering a frightening area of active conflict.
Originally from Sinjar, Iraq, the Peshmerga have a front line that is approximately 600 miles long that almost completely surrounds Mosul. We are informed that IS controls 77% of the Sinjar territory, which led the Peshmerga to inhabit the mountains and establish a stronghold there. This perspective has enabled them to both provide cover for their allies and maintain a vigilant stance toward enemy fire, which is perpetual. Operating on ten-hour shifts, the soldiers devote night and day to maintaining their positions and standing up to the enemy. Dramatic views across the region allow the audience to experience the region as if they were a stationary soldier. Smaller flashes of light move back and forth across the distant sky as the IS and the Peshmerga exchange fire, large amounts of weapons and supplies are seen traveling to and from the IS outposts in large trucks.
The news team captures terrifying footage of the Peshmerga during an attack, this instigated the evacuation of the filmmakers when sniper fire became too intense. The IS forces attempt to take over the hilltop outposts every day of the week, the most aggressive invasions take place at night. However, a soldier says, morale is high among the Peshmerga, as the Kurds have primarily grown up in war and are eager to fight against terrorist forces. They express an interest in participating in any war against terror, they hope to receive the same support in their battle against ISIS.
This analysis of the ongoing conflict in Iraq demonstrates that the Peshmerga are a composed and confident group that is faced with constant battle. While filming, the Peshmerga continued to maintain their territory, but it’s unclear how the situation will resolve. A disturbing and open-ended narrative, The Road to Mosul is a gripping account of the current state of violence in the Middle East.
