16 killed as Iraqi forces push deep into W. Mosul

By Serhad Shaker and Ibrahim Salih

NINEVEH, Iraq

At least 16 people were killed Sunday in deadly clashes between Iraqi forces and Daesh militants in western Mosul, according to a local activist.

The violence broke out when Iraqi forces attempted to storm into the Daesh-held Nabi Sheth area in western Mosul, Luqman Omar al-Taei told Anadolu Agency.

“Scores of people were injured in deadly confrontations and airstrikes in the area,” he said.

Iraqi authorities have yet to confirm the fatalities.

Federal police officer Sabhan al-Shuweili, for his part, said Iraqi forces were attempting to advance into the Nabi Sheth and al-Dandan districts in Mosul’s western side.

In mid-February, Iraqi forces -- backed by a U.S.-led air coalition -- began fresh operations aimed at purging Daesh terrorists from western Mosul.

The offensive came as part of a wider campaign launched last October to retake the entire city, which Daesh overran -- along with much of northern and western Iraq -- in mid-2014.