The latest battle between Kurdish forces and Islamic State militants was captured by a crew from Norwegian television.<br/> <br />It was a fierce fight, but the militants were eventually expelled from the town of Makhmur, 40 miles southwest of Arbil… The regional capital under threat from the militant advance.<br/> <br />It was a small victory in a much larger war. The Islamic State has driven thousands from their homes, threatening to murder ethnic minorities.<br/> <br />Scores of Yazidis have already fallen victim.<br/> <br />Tens of thousands have fled to the mountains for refuge.<br/> <br />...And, battling against the elements, they're now dependent on aid from the West to survive.<br/> <br />Most of that is coming from the US and British air forces, who are now dropping parcels of water and solar lamps in the dead of night.<br/> <br />It's comfort to the desperate Yazidis but as their plight worsens, Western powers and international aid agencies are being forced to consider what more they can do to help.
