16 Islamic State militants killed as blast rocks southern Mosul camp
Dead bodies of Islamic State militants (representational photo)
Captain Khalil Ibrahim told Bas News that “a mysterious blast took place inside one of Daesh (Islamic State) encampment in al-Hawi, south of Mosul, leaving 16 militants dead and others seriously wounded.”
IS members cordoned the camp off and casualties were taken to the city’s forensic medicine facility, according to Ibrahim.
On January 24th, Iraqi government forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition and popular paramilitaries, recaptured eastern Mosul from Islamic State, achieving the most remarkable victory in three months of battles against the extremist group.
Islamic State had lost at least 3000 fighters in battles at the eastern section, but is vigorously building up its defenses in the west for the decisive battle. It has also carried out several attacks on recaptured areas in the east over the past weeks, leaving civilian and security deaths.
The group, however, has reportedly lost many of its leaders in the battles, and is grappling with internal divisions which saw many commanders mysteriously assassinated, and reached their peak this week with reports talking about discussions to replace its supreme leader