Two IS militants die implanting explosives in Mosul, one caught escaping city
Representational photo.
A local source in Nineveh said two militants died when explosive devices they were trying to plant in a house in Zanjili, a neighborhood at the city’s western section, went off.
Booby-trapping of houses, roads and civilians vehicles have been among the extremist group’s defensive techniques against Iraqi government and popular forces which have recaptured the eastern section of the city from IS since October. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi discussed on Sunday final touches to security operations aimed at liberating the western side of Mosul, which is still under IS control.
Also on Monday, an IS member was caught trying to flee Mosul using a fake ID, according to a statement by the Interior Ministry. Spokesman Brigadier General Saad Maan said the militant was detected by intelligence and federal investigation teams. Interrogated, he confessed to have been involved in planting roadside bombs targeting security personnel.
Since the Iraqi government- backed by a U.S.-led coalition- launched a major offensive in October to retake Mosul from IS militants, several group members fled the city to neighboring Syria, or were executed by the group for attempting to escape the battlefield.