Iraqi forces kill 3 suicide bombers near Mosul

By Serhad Shakir and Mohamed Waleed

NINEVEH, Iraq

Iraqi forces shot dead three suicide bombers near the northern city of Mosul on Tuesday, according to an Iraqi army officer.

Iraqi special forces raided a hideout of Daesh militants in al-Bir town, 45 kilometers southeast of Mosul upon a tip-off from local residents, Lieutenant-Colonel Abdel-Salam al-Jabouri told Anadolu Agency.

“Three bombers wearing explosive belts were killed during the raid,” he said.

He said the slain bombers were all Iraqi nationals.

No casualties were reported among Iraqi forces.

Daesh has been driven out by the Iraqi army, backed by a U.S.-led coalition, from territory overran by the terrorist group in northern and western Iraq in 2014.

However, from time to time, Iraqi forces announce operations against what they call “sleeping cells“ or remnants of Daesh.