Iraqi forces uncover network of IS tunnels in Mosul

MOSUL, Iraq (Kurdistan 24) – Iraqi security forces have discovered a network of long tunnels used by Islamic State (IS) militants in Mosul, an Iraqi commander said on Saturday.

Commander of the Federal Police Forces Lieutenant General Raed Shaker Jawdat revealed Iraqi troops had found several IS tunnels during a clear-up operation in Mosul.

The commander said the tunnels were uncovered in the southern part of Mosul’s Old City recently liberated from the extremist group.

Jawdat mentioned the security forces had also discovered “a stash of projectiles belonging to [IS] members in the area.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory in Mosul on July 10, IS’ last remaining stronghold in the country.

The offensive to liberate the city lasted nearly 10 months.

Kurdish Peshmerga forces supported an advance in October 2016 by Iraqi troops, backed by US-led coalition air strikes, to free Mosul of IS control.

The Iraqi security forces successfully liberated the eastern part of the city in January before announcing the offensive in the west on Feb. 19.

Over 860,000 people were displaced from Mosul as a result of the operation to defeat IS.

According to Jassim Mohammed al-Jaaf, the Iraqi Minister of Displacement and Migration, about 253,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have returned to their homes in Mosul.

Meanwhile, Captain Amir Watheq from the Nineveh Provincial Police Force said security forces recently killed over a dozen extremists trying to infiltrate the al-Houd village, south of Mosul.

Clashes are ongoing in pockets of the city as security forces continue their search for IS sleeper cells and remaining militants in the area.