British troops train female Peshmerga fighters in Iraq

The British Ministry of Defense (MOD) revealed here Saturday that British soldiers have trained female Peshmerga fighters.

The women have been trained by British soldiers in northern Iraq in crucial infantry, medical and counter-Improvised Explosive Device skills, the MOD said.

A spokesman for the MOD said: "They have a unique psychological advantage over Daesh (IS) as the terrorists believe that if they are killed by a woman they will not go to heaven."

Troops from 1st Battalion The Rifles and their Dutch partners delivered an intensive three-week training course for 120 female troops.

The MOD spokesman added: "The women are part of an infantry battalion who fight alongside their male colleagues on the front line and provide protection to medics, wounded fighters and vulnerable civilians, including women."

"They are due to play a key role in the operation to retake Mosul, dealing with civilians who may have been victims of Daesh(IS) sexual violence, " the spokesman added.

Over 24,000 Iraqis have been trained under the program to strengthen the Iraqi security forces and increase their military capacity against IS, said the MOD.

Britain's Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said on Saturday: "These brave female Peshmerga fighters will help ensure that Daesh(IS) are kicked out of Iraq for good and we must keep supporting them."

Lieutenant Colonel Oz Lane who is in charge of British training, said: "The female Peshmerga have been a pleasure to teach. They are keen to learn and highly motivated and we are providing them with the skill sets not only to fight Daesh(IS) but to manage the humanitarian situation after they have won the fight." Endit