Iraqi troops kill 30 Daeshi bombers in west Mosul

Iraqi security forces have killed at least 30 Daesh bombers during operations to liberate western Mosul from the Takfiri terrorists.

According to Colonel Hashim Fadel, the terrorists were killed when the forces of the elite Counter-Terrorism Service raided a building which was being used as a headquarters in the district of Souq al-Maash.

Iraqi forces have been carrying out operations in the Old City area for several weeks, but they have faced tough resistance, and the progress has been slow.

They are currently advancing through the city’s maze-like streets towards the al-Nuri mosque, where Daesh’s leader, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, announced the forming of the group’s so-called caliphate in 2014.

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"We, the snipers team, are stationed at the defensive lines. Our duty is to provide cover for advancing troops. We are in full control and we are monitoring the enemy's movements and we are providing the headquarters with the coordinates and, thanks to God, the advances are ongoing," said Iraqi sniper Abdul Qader Nadhim Hussein.

Meanwhile, the commander of the Mosul operations, Rasheed Yarallaha, has stressed that the military’s priority was keeping civilians safe and avoiding damage to the city’s infrastructure.

“It is too difficult to give a specific time for the end of battles in Mosul because fighting is going on in densely populated areas in which more than 400,000 citizens are still living in under the control of Daesh. Frankly speaking, I won't sacrifice with the safety of the people,” he said.

 "I pay no heed to time for the end of battles, our main goal is how to liberate territories and protect citizens and how to lessen casualties and safeguard infrastructure,'' he added.

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