27 Islamic State militants killed in Mosul military operation
A group of Islamic State militants hold a parade wearing their custom black uniforms
Mosul (Iraqinews.com) – Up to 27 Islamic State terrorists were killed and five of their hotbeds were destroyed during a military operation in Mosul city.
“Joint troops, backed by Iraqi Air Force, have sealed off a large swath of Badush mountains, west of Mosul, since yesterday and launched wide-scale combing operations to eliminate the growing terrorist threat there,” Ayn al-Iraq News website quoted Major Hammam Salem al-Obeidi as saying.
“The military operation resulted in the killing of 27 IS terrorists and destruction of three tunnels, five hotbeds and two caves that were used by IS militants,” al-Obeidi said.
“The operation against terrorist outposts in Nineveh province is ongoing in coincidence with the military operations in Kirkuk and Salauddin,” al-Obeidi added.
Last year, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced liberation of the second largest Iraqi city of Mosul from IS militants, who had captured it in 2014. More than 25,000 militants were killed throughout the campaign, which started in October 2016.
A government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and a U.S.-led international coalition, has been fighting the Islamic State group, which declared a self-styled “caliphate” from Mosul in June 2014.
Abadi announced last December full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring the end of war against IS members.