Iraqi forces withdrew from Sinjar region including the village of Kocho after the Fall of Mosul in early June 2014, prompting the lightly-equipped and outgunned Peshmerga to enter Sinjar city to prevent ISIS from capturing the city. Peshmerga began constructing a barrier south of the city to prevent ISIS incursions. The region experienced small-scale attacks from ISIS between June and August that year and the small contingent of Peshmerga soldiers in Kocho would ultimately leave to reinforce other Peshmerga forces northward due to the ISIS advance. Hundreds of locals left towards the Sinjar Mountains afterwards to seek refuge and where later rescued by People's Protection Units while some were reported to be caught by ISIS.