Seven IS militants killed while escaping northwest of Mosul

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Seven Islamic State militants were killed while trying to escape from northwestern Mosul, a security source said.

Speaking to Baghdad Today, the source said, “seven Arab IS gunmen, attempted escaping through al-Yaarabiya region, northwest of Mosul.”

“All of them were killed by the Iraqi border guards,” he added.

In Late June, Iraqi troops took over the Old City’s Nuri al-Kabir Mosque, where IS supreme leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi first declared the proclaimed caliphate covering parts of Iraq and Syria. Later on July 10, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over IS militants who had held the second largest Iraqi city since 2014. More than 25000 militants were killed throughout the campaign, which started in October.

Since the city was declared free, security troops continue to comb western Mosul areas for hidden IS cells.

Despite declaring the victory over IS there in the city, observers say IS is believed to constitute a security threat even after the group’s defeat at its main havens across Iraqi provinces.

Earlier this month, troops launched offensive to recapture Tal Afar ton, the last IS bastion in Nineveh province. Other IS havens in Anbar, Kirkuk and Salahuddin are expected to be targeted by the iraqi government soon.