The Battle for Bashiqa – keiwanfatehi.com
2016 • Bashiqa, Mosul

The Battle for Bashiqa

In October 2016, as the world watched the offensive to retake Mosul from the Islamic State (ISIS), a critical battle unfolded on the dusty plains of the Nineveh Governorate. This documentary project, captured between October 17 and 21, 2016, chronicles the intense military operation led by Kurdish Peshmerga forces—alongside Western Coalition allies—to liberate the strategic town of Bashiqa, located just 12 miles northeast of Mosul.
The series offers an unfiltered view of modern warfare, bridging the gap between high-level command decisions and the gritty reality of the infantry. Through the lens, we witness the mobilization of the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) and Zeravani special forces, supported by heavy armor and Coalition airstrikes that punctuate the horizon with smoke and fire.
Beyond the mechanics of combat, these images capture the human element of the conflict: a soldier performing dawn prayers on the front line, a medic tending to the wounded amidst the chaos, and the stoic determination of fighters advancing across the open plains. This project serves as a historical record of the resilience required to reclaim a homeland from extremism, documenting the precise moments when the landscape of war shifted toward liberation.

The Battle for Bashiqa

Heading to the Front A soldier from the Kurdistan Region Peshmerga Forces advances toward the battle to liberate Bashiqa, Mosul district, from ISIS control.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 800
Aperture f/8
Shutter 1/50
Focal 32mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

United Forces A unit of Peshmerga from the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) takes part in the offensive to liberate the Bashiqa region from ISIS militants.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 800
Aperture f/22
Shutter 1/250
Focal 105mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

The War Room Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, holds a press conference with a joint delegation of Iraqi and Kurdish military officials regarding the ongoing offensive against ISIS in Bashiqa.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 100
Aperture f/5.6
Shutter 100
Focal 50mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

Preparations Kurdish Peshmerga forces prepare their equipment on the front lines before the push to liberate Bashiqa from ISIS.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 320
Aperture f/11
Shutter 1/800
Focal 35mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

Heavy Armor A Kurdistan Peshmerga tank maneuvers on the front lines during the fight against ISIS near Bashiqa, Mosul.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 320
Aperture f/14
Shutter 1/250
Focal 92mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

Air Support Smoke rises as Coalition forces conduct airstrikes on ISIS positions during the operation to retake Bashiqa.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 800
Aperture f/8
Shutter 1/1250
Focal 74mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

Before the Advance Two members of the Zeravani (specialized Peshmerga forces) prepare to deploy for the liberation of Bashiqa from ISIS.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 500
Aperture f/9
Shutter 1/80
Focal 24mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

The Nawaran Front A group of Peshmerga fighters stationed at the entrance to the Nawaran sector during the offensive against ISIS.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 800
Aperture f/16
Shutter 1/1600
Focal 105mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

Artillery Fire Kurdish Peshmerga forces shell ISIS positions in the Nawaran sector, north of Mosul.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 800
Aperture f/22
Shutter 1/500
Focal 95mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

Remnants of War A disabled vehicle sits on a road in the Nawaran sector amidst the fighting between joint Kurdish-Coalition forces and ISIS.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 800
Aperture f/22
Shutter 1/320
Focal 70mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

On the Line Kurdish Peshmerga fighters hold their positions on the front line during the Bashiqa liberation offensive.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 800
Aperture f/16
Shutter 1/100
Focal 24mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

Combat Medic A wounded Peshmerga fighter receives medical treatment on the front lines during the intense battle for Bashiqa.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 800
Aperture f/16
Shutter 1/160
Focal 24mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

Forward Positions Peshmerga forces gather on the front lines, poised for the liberation of Bashiqa from ISIS control.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 3200
Aperture f/4
Shutter 1/60
Focal 24mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

At the Gates Two Peshmerga fighters stand at the entrance of Bashiqa town as operations to clear the area from ISIS continue.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 800
Aperture f/22
Shutter 1/250
Focal 105mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

Faith in Conflict A Peshmerga fighter performs dawn prayers on the front lines before the day's operations to liberate Bashiqa begin.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 6400
Aperture f/4
Shutter 1/50
Focal 58mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

The Unit A group of Kurdish Peshmerga fighters assembled on the Bashiqa front lines against ISIS.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 320
Aperture f/9
Shutter 1/6400
Focal 100mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

The Bashiqa Plains Peshmerga forces advance across the open plains in front of Bashiqa town during the offensive to retake the area.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 2000
Aperture f/6.3
Shutter 1/80
Focal 96mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

Mobilization Zeravani forces make final preparations on the front line for the liberation of Bashiqa.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 320
Aperture f/16
Shutter 1/160
Focal 24mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

Striking the Center A view of airstrikes targeting ISIS positions in the heart of Bashiqa town during the liberation battle

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 320
Aperture f/10
Shutter 1/320
Focal 105mm
Location Bashiqa
The Battle for Bashiqa

Landscape of War A view over the Bashiqa plains during the ongoing conflict involving Peshmerga, Coalition forces, and ISIS militants.

Camera Make Canon
Camera Model EOS 5D MARK II
Lens 24-105 mm
ISO 200
Aperture -
Shutter 1/800
Focal 50mm
Location Bashiqa