IS uses protected sites in Mosul to shell Iraqi forces: Coalition

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) on Sunday reported the Islamic State (IS) in Mosul used mosques, schools, and hospitals to strike Iraqi security forces.

CJTF-OIR stated the Iraqi security forces requested the coalition to strike an IS mortar tube which was bombing the security forces.

“A precision-guided artillery round hit the mortar tube in between two empty school buildings,” the statement read.

“No civilians were in the area, and minimal damage was reported to the buildings,” The CJTF-OIR added.

The coalition also mentioned the extremist group used the sites under the protection of the international law to bombard Iraqi forces.

IS used hospitals, schools, and mosques as weapon storage facilities, fighting positions, and bases for “terrorist activities,” the coalition reported.

The report noted those sites had been increasingly used by the insurgent group as the Iraqi security forces began their advance, pushing IS further into Mosul.

The CJTF-OIR highlighted the continuation of air strikes on IS positions in Iraq in accordance with the Law of Armed Conflict as well as in coordination with the Iraqi troops.

Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces launched the Mosul military operation on Oct. 17. Since then, both forces have liberated large swaths of territory.

The military offensive is ongoing as Iraqi troops with the help of the US-led coalition continue to advance to the center of the city.

Mosul is the second-largest city in Iraq which has been under the occupation of IS since the group emerged in June 2014.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany