Shelling in western Mosul leave casualties among civilians, IS members
Representational photo.
“One person was killed, four others were injured on the liberated district of al-Jazair in western Mosul as a mortar missile was shot from regions still held by IS in the west of the city,” a security source told Shafaq News on Wednesday.
Another bombing occurred at the same place leaving three persons wounded, the source added.
In related news, residents said six civilians were wounded due to artillery and mortar shelling by Iraqi troops against Hawi al-Kanisah region, still held by IS, in the west.
Meanwhile, Federal Police announced killing of top aide of IS Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in western Mosul.
Lt. Gen. Shaker Jawdat, commander of the Federal Police service, said in a statement that “troops killed the top aide of IS leader called ‘Abu Abd al-Rahman’ in shelling that targeted al-Zanjili district.”
“The troops also killed abul Walid al-Tounsi and four of his companions as their headquarters near Al-Aswad mosque in the Old City,” Jawdat said. “Another Russian national member called Abu Maria al-Roumi was killed in Ras al-Jadda neighborhood.”
IS members raised alert earlier this week as Hassab-Allah al-Qawqazi was killed by unknown gunmen near his home in central Tal Afar.
Iraqi government forces, backed by a U.S-led coalition and paramilitary troops, launched an offensive in October 2016 to recapture Mosul, the group’s largest stronghold in Iraq.The eastern side of the city was recaptured in January. A new offensive was launched in February to retake the western side