2 Iraqi soldiers killed in Mosul clashes

NINEVEH, Iraq

Two Iraqi soldiers were killed in clashes with Daesh militants in western Mosul, an Iraqi officer said Monday.

Deadly clashes erupted between anti-terrorism forces and Daesh militants in Al-Tanak and Al-Thawra districts in the city's western side, Army Captain Jabbar Hassan told Anadolu Agency.

"Two members of the anti-terrorism forces were killed in the clashes," he said.

Hassan said Iraqi forces have made rapid advances in Al-Tanak district. "We are expected to liberate the area today," he said.

In February, Iraqi ground forces -- backed by a U.S.-led air coalition -- began fresh operations aimed at ousting Daesh from western Mosul, the terrorist group’s last bastion in northern Iraq.

The offensive is part of a wider campaign launched last October to retake the entire city, which Daesh overran in mid-2014.

Reporting by Ali Jawad;Writing by Ali H. M.Abo Rezeg