Fierce clashes with IS near Mosul, says Iraq paramilitary unit | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Fierce clashes with IS near Mosul, says Iraq paramilitary unit

Baghdad | ByAgence France-Presse
Oct 24, 2017 04:37 PM IST

Nearly 30 people have been reported dead in fierce clashes between the Islamic State and Iraq’s paramilitary coalition near the city of Mosul.

Jihadists from the Islamic State group and fighters from Iraq’s Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary coalition were locked in fierce clashes near Mosul on Tuesday, with nearly 30 reported dead, the coalition said.

File photo from July 11, 2017 shows airstrikes targeting Islamic State positions on the edge of the Old City a day after Iraq's prime minister declared "total victory" in the city of Mosul.(AP)
File photo from July 11, 2017 shows airstrikes targeting Islamic State positions on the edge of the Old City a day after Iraq's prime minister declared "total victory" in the city of Mosul.(AP)

Mosul, Iraq’s second city, was retaken from IS in July after a massive months-long offensive.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“Waad Allah forces are repelling an IS attack southwest of Mosul in the Hatra desert”, some 100 km southwest of Mosul, said a spokesman for the Hashed unit.

The Hashed is an umbrella group of paramilitary auxiliaries formed in 2014 to support Iraqi regular forces after IS swept across swathes of northern Iraq.

In a series of online posts, Waad Allah said IS sent “numerous suicide bombers” to attack its forces, and gave a death toll of 24 jihadists and four of its own men.

Iraqi forces have retaken more than 90% of the territory IS seized in the country in 2014, with the jihadists now confined to the desert areas in Anbar province bordering Syria.

But despite a series of stinging defeats, IS in Iraq retains the ability to launch attacks in areas declared “liberated” months previously.

After losing Mosul in July, IS has also lost Raqa, its “capital” in Syria.

The Hashed took over the Hatra area in April this year after IS forces were ousted.

The ancient walled city of Hatra in northern Nineveh province is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On