Iraqi Kurds have pushed forward with renewed vigor to retake land from Islamic State in recent weeks, territory that could be used as bargaining chips in future negotiations they are seeking to achieve more autonomy or even independence. Iraqi territory under Kurdish control has expanded by about 50% in the past two years. Since last month, Kurdish Peshmerga forces took control of a number of villages near Mosul and some strategic access points leading into the city. The offensive came as Iraqi forces and their allies gear up for a massive operation in coming weeks to retake the extremist group’s last stronghold in the country. The maneuvering has angered Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who has warned the Kurds not to push further into Mosul on their own, saying the city’s Sunni Arab majority […]