It's pretty close by. Only a 30 minutes' drive
towards Mosul, that's all it takes to get from
Erbil to the front line with the Islamic State,
referred to by locals as "Daesh". The Kurdish
city, home to millions, seems calm and
peaceful. For the new arrivals, the scenery
might be deceiving. No extraordinary security
measures and relaxed guards. But for those
western arrivals after midnight, athletic build
and crossing the airport hall carrying long
Peli cases… But for the flight of Blackhawk
helicopters, departing from a base close to the
airport to carry out their mission… But certainly
no boots on the ground, at least not when you
ask our politicians.
REPORT
