Security forces liberate children held by Islamic State in western Mosul

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Security troops have freed several children who were held by Islamic State in west of Mosul. One of the children was found dead due to being tortured by the militants, a security source from Nineveh province said.

“Security forces liberated a group of children who were detained by IS in al-Zanjili district, in western Mosul,” the source told AlSumaria News on Monday.

“The troops were able to save three of the children after one of them succumbed to death due to being tortured by the militants,” the source added.

“Preliminary investigations with the children showed that they were held by IS members for disobeying orders made by the group,” according to the source.

Last month, Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights reported said 197 children were taken hostage by the IS militants near al-Nouri Grand Mosque in west Mosul where the Iraqi troops have closed in on the militant group.

Islamic State has executed hundreds of civilians and security members since it took over large areas in Iraq to proclaim a self-styled “Islamic Caliphate” in 2014.

A major offensive was launched by Iraqi government forces, backed by international coalition troops led by the United States, in October to retake Mosul, IS’s largest base in Iraq. The eastern side was retaken in January, while another offensive was launched in February to recapture the west.