Coalition jets heavily bombard IS-held regions, east of Salahuddin
Archival photo.
“Coalition jets heavily pounded several regions in Mutaibija, Salahuddin, targeting rest houses and vehicles containing explosives,” the source told AlSumaria News.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said, “the heavy shelling by coalition jets was to ruin attempts by Islamic State to launch any surprise attacks from Mutaibija to break the seige imposed on the group after it lost Zarka bridge, which was important for logistic support from Hawija, few days ago.”
Occasional attacks have been witnessed in Mutaibija by Islamic State against government and paramilitary troops deployments since Iraqi forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition and PMUs, launched a major offensive to retake areas occupied by IS since 2014.
Federal Police announced, earlier this week, liberation of eastern Shirqat, the group’s holdout in north of Salahuddin.
225 militants had been killed since the launch of operations in Shirqat, Jawdat previously announced.
The Iraqi army said in September its forces recaptured the western coast of Shirqat, located south of Mosul, on the west bank of the Tigris river, after being surrounded for months by Iraqi troops and the pro-government Shi’ite militias.