Iraqi troops kill 11 IS militants, arrest 10 in Mosul, including “oil minister”
Members of the Iraqi rapid response forces fire a missile toward Islamic State militants during a battle in the south of Mosul, Iraq February 19, 2017. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra
BasNews quoted Col. Thamer Jaber, from the 9th division, saying Iraqi troops captured two more villages in western Mosul after intense fighting with IS fighters. He said the forces were backed by an aerial cover from the U.S.-led international military coalition.
Battles, according to the officer, left 11 militants dead, including four suicide bombers. He added that ten others were also arrested, including IS “oil minister”, Hossam Gala-Eddin, and finance minister, Ghazi al-Tikriti, but did not mention their exact nationalities.
Iraqi government forces recaptured eastern Mosul from Islamic State on January 24th after three months of battles. Security commanders recently said they became in control of 30 percent of western Mosul since another offensive launched in February to retake the region.
Iraqi troops have made remarkable victories in the west by recapturing major government facilities, a military base and the city’s airport. Commanders said Tuesday they became in control over 90 percent of the Old City, a much-wanted target believed decisive for putting government troops closer to final victory.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said hours earlier that the battle for Mosul was entering its final stages.