5 Iraqi troops killed in Mosul battles: Source

By Ahmed Qassim

NINEVEH, Iraq (AA) – At least five Iraqi troops were killed Saturday in street battles with Daesh militants east of Mosul in northern Iraq, according to a local military source.

The source said 12 people were also injured, including journalists covering an ongoing Iraqi operation to oust Daesh from Mosul.

“The victims fell after Daesh militants besieged them in al-Zahraa neighborhood east of Mosul since Friday,” the source said, requesting anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to media.

According to the source, Daesh militants had carried out suicide attacks against anti-terror forces and accompanying journalists in the neighborhood.

“Iraqi troops have sent in military reinforcements and managed to break the siege imposed on the anti-terror forces in the area,” the source said.

Last month, the Iraqi army -- backed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes -- launched a wide-ranging operation aimed at retaking Mosul, the last Daesh stronghold in northern Iraq, from the terrorist group.

In mid-2014, Daesh captured Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, before overrunning vast swathes of territory in the country’s north and west.

Recent months have seen the Iraqi army, backed by local allies on the ground and the U.S.-led air coalition, retake much territory.