Iraqi forces repel IS attack, kill 70 militants south of Mosul

IRBIL, Sept 13 (KUNA) -- The Iraqi forces, with air support from the US-led coalition, have repelled an attack by the so-called Islamic State (IS), killing 70 militants, the military said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Nineveh Operations Command referred to the attack as the "most violent" by the IS in the axis of Al-Houd, Al-Hadher and Al-Shebali, south of Mosul, on the road to Baghdad.
Elements from the 15th Infantry Division, the 37th Brigade and the Nineveh police, supported by the international coalition's air force, repelled the militants' attack after five-hour clashes, the statement added.
Seventy IS fighters were killed and seven IS vehicles and mortars were destroyed.
There were no reports of casualties on the side of the security forces.
Last month, the Iraqi government announced the liberation of Qayyarah town from IS.
Qayyarah is the biggest town of Nineveh and is of logistic, tactical and strategic significance in the battle to liberate Mosul from IS. (end) sbr.msa