Tens of Islamic State militants killed in operation, west of Mosul
A member of Iraqi forces walks as they advance their positions on the frontline at the Old City in West Mosul, Iraq June 27, 2017. REUTERS/Erik De Castro
“An operation was carried out three days ago in Abu Yaseen, Thara al-Karah, Wadi al-Thirthar and al-Khubra regions as well as areas in the vicinity,” Ahmed Nasrallah, deputy commander of the 13th brigade of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces), said in a statement on Sunday. “Troops besieged big number of terrorists, killing 32 militants during the operation.”
“Among the killed militants were the judge of the so-called Al-Jazeera State and Nineveh State, judge of the northern region, Tal Afar and al-Deshisha, militant in charge of the ammunition, the group’s deputy economy minister and a leader known as abu Hajar,” the statement added.
Last week, the PMF’s media service announced killing 12 out of 15 IS suicide attackers during clashes in abu Raseen region in Qairawan, west of Mosul.
on July 10, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over IS militants who had held the second largest Iraqi city since 2014. More than 25000 militants were killed throughout the campaign, which started in October.
Since the city was declared free, security troops continue to comb western Mosul areas for hidden IS cells.
Despite declaring the victory over IS there in the city, observers say IS is believed to constitute a security threat even after the group’s defeat at its main havens across Iraqi provinces. Other IS havens in Anbar, Kirkuk and Salahuddin are expected to be targeted by the iraqi government soon.