Forces fighting IS in Mosul regroup, search for cars used for suicide attacks

A top Iraqi commander says troops fighting the Islamic State group in the eastern outskirts of Mosul are regrouping and conducting house-to-house searches looking for vehicles primed for use in suicide bombings.

A top Iraqi commander says troops fighting the Islamic State group in the eastern outskirts of Mosul are regrouping and conducting house-to-house searches looking for vehicles primed for use in suicide bombings.

A member of the Hashd al Shaabi tries to spot the position of an Islamic State (IS) snipper at Tal Afar airport, in Iraq. (AFP File Photo)

Major Gen. Sami al-Aridi of the special forces told The Associated Press that his men foiled two attempted suicide car bombings early on Monday, firing on the approaching vehicles, which exploded before reaching their intended targets.

He said a civilian woman was wounded and added that troops were going from house to house in four neighbourhoods recently retaken from the IS, looking for vehicles intended for use in future suicide bombings.

The Iraqi military launched a campaign on October 17 to retake Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city and the extremist group’s last major urban bastion in the country.