Islamic State bodies found inside tunnels used by militants, south of Mosul

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Many bodies of Islamic State members were found as security troops confiscated tunnels that were used by the militant group, south of Mosul, the Security Media Center said.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Yahia Rasool, the spokesperson for the center, said “the military intelligence found many tunnels that were used by IS in a village in Hammam al-Alil region in Mosul. The tunnels were used as shelters to treat the wounded.”

The troops, according to Rasool, “found inside the tunnels several bodies of IS members, who were injured without being treated during the liberation battles.”

Thousands of Islamic State militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition was launched in October 2016 to fight the militant group, which declared a self-styled “caliphate” from Mosul in June 2014.

Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks across Iraq against security troops. Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses threat against stability in the country.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced, in December, full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members. The war against IS has displaced at least five million people.