Iraqi security forces affiliated with the Nineveh liberation operation killed 17 militants, including 5 bombers, who were trying to advance into the frontline of the battle in southern Mosul, Iraq's al-Sumaria News reported on Sunday. The army soldiers also destroyed a machine gun belonging to Daesh, killing four militants in a village in Nineveh. Reports said 30 militants also died in airstrikes near the Nineveh's Qayyarah oil field. According to an unnamed Iraqi security source, similar air raids also killed nine Daesh Takfiris in the Hawijah district of Kirkuk Province. The airborne assaults also destroyed several explosive-laden vehicles and a facility producing improvised explosive devices. On Saturday, the Iraqi troops liberated two districts in the city of Hit in the western province of Anbar from the grip of terrorists. Overall, more than 150 Daesh militants lost their lives in different areas across Iraq on Saturday. Gruesome violence has plagued the northern and western parts of Iraq ever since Daesh launched an offensive in June 2014, and took control of swathes of the Iraqi territory. The terror group has suffered major blows from the Iraqi forces and fighters from Popular Mobilization units over the past months and is increasingly losing areas under its control. The Takfiris have been carrying out horrific acts of violence, such as public decapitations and crucifixions, against all communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians in areas they have overrun.
