By Jamal al-Badrani

NINEVEH, Iraq

At least 11 Iraqis were killed, including six army troops, in a suicide bombing south of Mosul on Sunday, according to a local Iraqi official.

Saleh al-Jabouri told Anadolu Agency that several Daesh militant wearing explosive belts had attacked Ajhala village, 60km south of Mosul.

“While some bombers were shot dead by Iraqi forces, others managed to blow up themselves,” he said.

According to Jabouri, 11 Iraqis -- five civilians and six army troops -- were killed in Sunday’s attack.

“Forces are still looking for four bombers who sneaked into the village,” he said.

Iraqi forces are preparing a major offensive to recapture Mosul from Daesh terrorist group, which overran the city in 2014.

Iraq has suffered a devastating security vacuum since mid-2014, when Daesh captured vast swathes of territory in western and northern Iraq.

While the Iraqi army, backed by U.S.-led airstrikes, has managed to retake most of the territory, the terrorist group remains in control of several parts of the country.