Unknown people raise IS flag in Mosul refugee camp
A member loyal to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) waves an ISIL flag in Raqqa June 29, 2014. The offshoot of al Qaeda which has captured swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria has declared itself an Islamic “Caliphate” and called on factions worldwide to pledge their allegiance, a statement posted on jihadist websites said on Sunday. The group, previously known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as ISIS, has renamed itself “Islamic State” and proclaimed its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghadi as “Caliph” – the head of the state, the statement said. REUTERS/Stringer (SYRIA – Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) FOR BEST QUALITY IMAGE ALSO SEE: GF2EAAO0VU501 – RTR3WBPT
Speaking to Shafaq News on Thursday, the source said security troops in charge of securing the camp brought down the flag and ordered investigations into the incident.
In related news, at least eighteen Islamic State militants were killed and injured as they launched an attack against army troops in western Mosul, another military source said.
The army troops confronted an attack by Islamic State in Sheikh Ibrahim village in Tal Afar town, west of Mosul, the source added.
Four militants were killed, while other fourteen members were wounded as the attack was foiled by the troops, the source added.
On Wednesday, the Iraqi command said army forces had killed more than 1300 militants since the launch of operations for western Mosul in February.
Last week, the Iraqi forces opened a new front targeting the strategic, IS-held Old City from the northwestern direction, having struggled for weeks to enter the city from southern entrances.
Earlier this week, a spokesperson of the Interior Ministry said 3320 IS members were killed since the offensive to retake western Mosul was launched in February.
The eastern side of the city was recaptured in January after three months of fighting.