Twelve Islamic State militants killed as security troops repulse attack, south of Mosul

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) Twelve Islamic State members were killed as security troops foiled an attack, south of Mosul, military source said on Wednesday.

“Troops managed to repulse an attack by Islamic State against villages of Imam Gharbi and Kan’ous, south of Qayyarah town, before the militants targeted security personnel,” the source told Baghdad Today website. “All the weapons in the militants’ possession were confiscated.”

“Security troops launched a wide-scale campaign after cordoning off the two villages in search for the militants,” he added.

Earlier this month, seventeen IS members were killed and arrested in an operation in al-Jazra region, south of Mosul.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi declared in July victory over IS militants who had held Mosul, the second largest Iraqi city since 2014. More than 25,000 Islamic State militants were killed throughout the campaign.

Iraqi forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition and paramilitary troops, have been fighting since October 2016 to retake territories Islamic State had occupied.

Last month, Abadi announced full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members.
The war against IS has displaced nearly five million people, with tens of thousands of civilians and militants killed since the launch of the offensives to recapture occupied cities.