LEEDS — Seven Islamic State (IS) militants were killed when an US-led coalition drone targeted and hit their location in western Mosul on Monday.
Lieutenant Yazan Abdul-Kafi of the Iraqi Air Forces told Rudaw that the coalition drone hit a house in the district of Zanjili, which was occupied by the IS militants. All seven militants inside the house were killed as a result of the strike, which also destroyed a vehicle parked near the house.
The area of Zanjili is one of the few districts that remain under IS-control and the Iraqi forces are currently sweeping through on their way to the Old City, which is the last key point held by the IS militants.
The Iraqi forces are currently working on installing a floating bridge linking western Mosul with the eastern side of the city. The bridge could facilitate the Iraqi army troops movement and the transfer of displaced people who are fleeing western Mosul, according to Lieutenant Abdul-Salam al-Jubouri.
According to recent reports by the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, the Iraqi government controls almost 90% of western Mosul after launching an offensive against the IS militants in February. The offensive is part of a wider operation for retaking the city of Mosul from the IS extremist group.