Kurdish policeman embraces suicide bomber in Mosul market, prevents civilian casualties

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Two suicide bombers on Friday targeted a market in eastern Mosul where a Kurdish policeman smothered one to prevent more civilian casualties.

On Friday, two Islamic State (IS) militants wearing explosive belts and carrying grenades attempted to sneak into the Muthanna market in east Mosul.

The insurgents killed and injured dozens of people, including police and security officials, Iraqi war media cell reported on Saturday.

The first suicide bomber detonated his belt after the local police forces opened fire on him. Two policemen were killed due to the blast.

“The second suicide bomber managed to sneak into the market where one of the heroic policemen embraced him to prevent civilian casualties,” Iraqi war media said in a statement.

“The bomber detonated himself which led to the death of Aziz Osman Mohammed Ibrahim,” the report added praising the Kurdish policeman also known as Azizi Surchi.

The suicide attacks killed five civilians and three policemen as well as injuring 19 other people.

The eastern part of Mosul city has been liberated since January 2017, but the area continues to be targeted by IS suicide bombers.

In June 2014, IS occupied Mosul and large swaths of territory in northern Iraq.  

Following the liberation of eastern Mosul in January, thousands of displaced people returned to their homes.

The insurgent group’s influence continues to shrink in the western part of the city. According to Iraqi forces, the full liberation of the west and entire city of Mosul is close.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany