Iraq: 23 killed in Mosul clashes

By Ahmed Qasim and Ibrahim Salih

NINEVEH, Iraq (AA) – At least 23 people were killed Sunday in deadly clashes between Iraqi forces and Daesh militants in western Mosul amid an ongoing offensive to dislodge the terrorist group from the northern city, according to a local police officer.

“Our forces are engaged in fierce battles against Daesh militants since morning,” Police Captain Yahya Abbas al-Talibi told Anadolu Agency.

He said nine Daesh militants were killed in clashes with Iraqi forces in the city’s western part.

“Three security forces were also killed, including two who were shot dead by Daesh snipers,” he added.

“Our forces are resolved to advance toward the center of western Mosul,” al-Talibi said.

Meanwhile, a security source said 11 civilians were killed by a suspected U.S.-led coalition airstrike in western Mosul on Sunday.

“A suspected coalition plane struck a mobile target, which left 11 civilians dead and injured four others,” the source said on condition of anonymity due to safety fears.

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

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