27 Iraqi security personnel killed in W. Mosul in 48hrs

By Ahmed Kassem and Serhad Shaker

BAGHDAD

At least 27 Iraqi security personnel have been killed -- and dozens more injured -- over the past 48 hours in ongoing clashes in Daesh-held western Mosul, an Iraqi security source said Tuesday.

“At least 13 soldiers, including five officers, were killed by nine separate Daesh car bombs in western Mosul’s Al-Zahra district,” an Iraqi Federal Police captain told Anadolu Agency.

The police officer, who spoke anonymously due to restrictions on speaking to media, added that 19 other security personnel had been injured in the attacks while seven military vehicles had been destroyed.

The same source went on to say that Daesh snipers had killed four Iraqi rapid-response troops and three federal police officers in separate incidents in and around western Mosul.

Police Lieutenant Ahmed Reza al-Waeli, for his part, told Anadolu Agency that another seven soldiers had been killed in a shooting attack followed by a suicide bombing in western Mosul’s Hawi al-Kanissa area.

Since October of last year, Iraqi forces have been waging large-scale military operations aimed at driving Daesh from Mosul, the terrorist group’s last major stronghold in northern Iraq.