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Mosul Offensive News


16 ISIS fighters die in likely work accident

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) Sixteen Islamic State militants died Wednesday after a mysterious blast hit a group training camp in southern Mosul, according to an Iraqi police officer.

Captain Khalil Ibrahim told Bas News that “a mysterious blast took place inside one of Daesh (Islamic State) encampment in al-Hawi, south of Mosul, leaving 16 militants dead and others seriously wounded.”
IS members cordoned the camp off and casualties were taken to the city’s forensic medicine facility, according to Ibrahim.

On January 24th, Iraqi government forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition and popular paramilitaries, recaptured eastern Mosul from Islamic State, achieving the most remarkable victory in three months of battles against the extremist group.

Islamic State had lost at least 3000 fighters in battles at the eastern section, but is vigorously building up its defenses in the west for the decisive battle. It has also carried out several attacks on recaptured areas in the east over the past weeks, leaving civilian and security deaths.

The group, however, has reportedly lost many of its leaders in the battles, and is grappling with internal divisions which saw many commanders mysteriously assassinated, and reached their peak this week with reports talking about discussions to replace its supreme leader.

2 Iraqi militiamen die in fighting near Tal Abta area

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) This morning, two members of the Islamic State group blew up themselves on a checkpoint of al-Hashd al-Shaabi, south of Mosul, killing and wounding a number of its members, Captain Udai Bashar, member of al-Hashd al-Shaabi said.

Bashar said in a press statement, “Two suicide bombers blew up themselves near a checkpoint belonging to al-Hashd al-Shaabi in Tal Abta area, south of Mosul.”

“The two blasts resulted in the killing of 5 members of al-Hashd al-Shaabi, as well as wounding others with serious injuries,” Bashar added.
Posted by: badanov 2017-02-16
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=481349