Two civilians killed by mortar missile, IED blast in western Mosul

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Two civilians were killed on Monday by a mortar missile and a bomb blast in western Mosul district, according to a security source and local residents.

Speaking to Shafaaq News, the residents said a civilian was killed as Islamic State militants fired a mortar missile on the unliberated parts of Hawi al-Kanisa region.

Meanwhile, the source said another civilian “was killed as IS blew up an IED when the civilian attempted escaping toward the Iraqi troops in Hawi al-Kanisa.”

“Iraqi troops are in the process of completing the liberation of Hawi al-Kanisa, west of Mosul,” the source added.

Iraqi forces have been sweeping through northwestern neighborhoods over the past few weeks in a way to invade the strategic Old City, after finding it hard to invade from the south.

Last week, the Iraqi security command declared being in control of 89.5 percent of western Mosul with only a few districts remaining under the militants’ control. More than 16,000 IS members were killed since beginning of operations in Mosul.

Eastern Mosul was liberated in January after three months of battles. Another major offensive was launched in February to retake the western side.

Iraqi generals had predicted liberating the city before end of this month.