Accessibility links

Breaking News

Iraqi Military Commander Killed By IS Near Mosul


Baghdad officials say Islamic State (IS) militants have killed a senior Iraqi commander near the IS-held northern city of Mosul.

The Iraqi Defense Ministry said Brigadier Ahmad Badr al-Luhaibi was killed by a sniper during an operation to retake a village south of Mosul.

In a statement issued late on June 14, the ministry praised Luhaibi as a "knight" and said his death would "increase our determination to clear" all IS forces from Nineveh Province, of which Mosul is the capital.

Iraq's second-largest city, Mosul, fell to IS fighters in June 2014 when the extremist group captured large parts of northern and western Iraq as well as eastern Syria.

Iraqi troops -- aided by Kurdish Peshmerga forces and with the support of U.S.-led coalition air strikes -- are fighting IS forces near Mosul in an attempt to encircle Mosul before invading the city.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has repeatedly pledged to recapture Mosul by the end of the year.

The fighting against IS in Iraq has forced 3.3 million people to flee their homes.

Based on reporting by AP and washingtonpost.com

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG