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Islamic State member in charge of main defense line in Tal Afar killed by sniper

 Islamic State member in charge of main defense line in Tal Afar killed by sniper

A sniper. Representational photo.

A sniper. Representational photo.
Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State militant in charge of one of the group’s defense lines was killed by a sniper in the vicinity of Tal Afar town, west of Mosul, a local source in Nineveh province said.

Speaking to AlSumaria News on Tuesday, the source said, “IS official, called Abu Yusuf, in charge of one of the group’s important defense lines in the vicinity of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, was killed by a sniper shot coming from the side of a checkpoint of the paramilitary troops.”

“Abu Yusuf is one of the main leaders of IS in Tal Afar. He was nominated for the position of the military emir,” the source, who preferred anonymity, added.

Tal Afar is one of the important strongholds still held by IS in Nineveh.

The group has sustained severe losses in personnel and ground since an offensive was launched in mid October to retake Mosul, the second-largest Iraqi city and the militants’ last urban stronghold in the country.

The number of Islamic State fighters remaining in Mosul are estimated by Iraqi troops at 200 to 300, mostly foreigners, down from nearly 6,000 when the offensive started.

Eastern Mosul was recaptured from IS in January, after a US-backed offensive was launched in October. A new offensive started in February to retake the west.

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