4 soldiers, dozens militants killed in Mosul fighting

By Ibrahim Salih and Mohamed Walid

BAGHDAD (AA) - Four Iraqi soldiers and dozens militants were killed in airstrikes and clashes in Mosul on Sunday amid an ongoing Iraqi offensive to recapture the northern city from the terrorist group.

Iraqi warplanes struck Daesh positions in western Mosul, killing 32 militants, the military intelligence directorate said in a statement.

Five Daesh militants were also killed in battles with Iraqi forces in northern Mosul, an army officer said on condition of anonymity because he was unauthorized to speak to media.

Meanwhile, four Iraqi troops were killed and nine others injured in clashes between Iraqi forces and Daesh militants in north-eastern Mosul.

Anti-terrorism officer Marwan Salloum said the violence broke out when Iraqi forces advanced into al-Falah district in north-eastern Mosul.

Five weeks ago, the Iraqi army -- backed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes and local allies on the ground -- launched a major offensive to take Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, which was overran by Daesh -- along with large parts of the country’s northern and western regions -- in mid-2014.