Islamic State’s “psychological guidance” official killed in Mosul airstrike

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) An Islamic State member in charge of psychological guidance for the group’s fighters was killed Monday along with ten others in an airstrike in western Mosul, according to an air force officer.

Anadolu Agency quoted Lit. Maan Abdullah saying that Ihsan Mulla Khaldoun a-Dawod, Islamic State’s so-called “guidance and psychological mobilization” official, was killed while holding a meeting in Zanjili district, in western Mosul.

Iraqi government forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition and paramilitary troops, took over eastern Mosul in January after three months of battles. Another offensive launched in mid February to retake the western side of the city.

The U.S. State Department said last week Iraqi troops were in control over 4000 kilometers of the city.

Coalition officials had estimated the number of remaining IS militants in Mosul by less than 1000. The group has lost dozens of its foreign and local leaders since the start of western Mosul operations.

The conflict in Mosul has so far displaced more than half a million civilians, according to the United Nations and the Iraqi government.