The Iraqi military reportedly launched a major assault on the Yazidi homeland of Sinjar (Shengal) on Monday against local Yazidi forces after it was forced to withdraw following clashes on Sunday.
Tanks and other heavy weapons are being used in the assault as Iraqi troops have made an attempt to penetrate Yazidi lines of defence through the town of Sinun, dispatching reinforcements to the area from the village of Tirbika in Rabia.
There is reportedly also a significant military buildup of Iraqi forces around the village of Dugure where Iraqi troops have been targeting Yazidi fighters in rocket strikes.
A school was destroyed in Iraqi artillery strikes in Dugure on Sunday night.
While Iraqi troops positioned along the border with northeast Syria (Rojava) have been recently reinforced, there are reports of military helicopters flying over the entire area.
The helicopters have been reportedly flying in circle formations over the town of Sinjar, the village of Dugure, and over Sinûnê, Xanesor and Medîban.