Federal Police: 172 IS snipers killed since launch of western Mosul operations

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) More than 100 Islamic State snipers were killed since start of military operations in western Mosul in February, Federal Police have said.

In statements on Saturday, Lt. Gen. Shaker Jawdat, Federal Police chief, said, “the troops concluded the liberation and combing of Iqtisadiyeen and 17 Tamuz (July 17th) districts. Barriers were set at entrances of al-Najjar and al-Shifa districts in western Mosul.”

“66 militants were killed, 13 vehicles and nine motorbikes were destroyed,” Jawdat said.

“The total results of operations launched by Federal Police in western Mosul included retaking 80 targets, killing 172 snipers, destroying 373 booby-trapped vehicles,” he added.

“40,000 families were evacuated, while 10,000 families returned back to their homes. 55,000 food baskets were offered since the launch of operations in western Mosul,” according to Jawdat.

Iraqi forces have been sweeping through northwestern neighborhoods over the past two weeks in a way to invade the strategic Old City.

Last week, Brigadier General Yahya Rasool, the military spokesperson said 89.5 percent of western Mosul was liberated with only a few districts remaining under the militants’ control.

Eastern Mosul was liberated in January after three months of battles. Another major offensive was launched in February to retake the western side.