Iraqi army kills 97 IS militants in Mosul

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) IRBIL, Dec 25 (KUNA) -- Iraqi forces killed at least 97 armed men from the so-called Islamic State (IS) in separate attacks in the northern city of Mosul, the army said on Sunday.

Terrorist groups attempted to reach police stations south of Abuyosif area, but government forces destroyed two vehicles, killed 21 armed men and injured others, Operations Commander Lieutenant General Abdulamir Rashid Yarallah said in a statement.

Yarallah added their forces confronted another attack from IS in Al-Intisar, Salam, and Al-Shaima'a neighbors in eastern coast, killing 51 terrorists and destroying four vehicles.

The commander noted that such operations took place after intelligence reports of terrorist groups gathering in Al-Wehda area, with plans to ambush police units, adding that international coalition warplanes were also able to kill 25 IS members inside one of their hideouts.

A security source told KUNA that IS are taking Al-Quds area as their operation base to lunch attacks against civilians. (end) sbr.mb