UPDATED: IS suicide bombers kill one militiaman, wound 11 in eastern Mosul

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) One tribal fighter was killed on Sunday and at least 9 others were wounded, including civilians and fighters, when Islamic State suicide bombers attacked a popular restaurant in eastern Mosul, hours after government forces invaded the group’s western strongholds.

News reports quoted security sources as saying that one member of al-Hashd al-Ashaeri (Tribal Mobilization) militia was killed in the bombing that targeted a restaurant in Sayyedati al-Gamila (My Fair Lady) area in al-Zohour district. The attack wounded at least nine others, including tribal fighters and civilians.

Another attack was reported at Nabi Yunus, but the extent of the damage was not calculated yet.

Reuters, however, put the toll at three dead soldiers in Nabi Yunus and two civilians at the restaurant.

Iraqi government forces declared clearing eastern Mosul from Islamic State militants on January 24th after three months of battles. Though surviving militants fled to the western region, many waged deadly attacks on the freed eastern areas, using drones and suicide bombings, killing several civilians and security personnel.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi officially declared on Sunday the beginning of a decisive battle to drive IS out of its strongholds in the west. Iraqi and international coalition generals have predicted a more difficult battle in that region given the density of residential areas and the need to ensure civilians’ safety.