IS leader killed, tunnels controlled, western Mosul: Police
Federal police members carry their weapons during a battle with Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq March 28, 2017. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily
In a statement, Lt. Gen. Shaker Jawdat said “the forces killed IS leader called Mahmoud Ali Mahmoud Matar al-Hadidi during clashes with the group members in the Old City.”
Moreover, “the troops controlled the group’s network of tunnels, in the south of the city, that is used an alternative headquarters by the leaders,” Jawdat added.
Last week, U.S.-led coalition jets heavily pounded IS headquarters in western Mosul leaving dozens of casualties among jihadists, according to Iraq’s War Media Cell.
The Joint Operations Command previously declared its forces had recaptured 60% of western Mosul from Islamic State militants, as operations enter third month to clear the region from the extremist group.
On Wednesday, Joint Operations Command’s Mosul operations announced resumption of military operations in Central Mosul, after being suspended for few days.
Iraqi government forces recaptured eastern Mosul in January, and started new offensive in February to retake the west.