Iraqi forces kill eight IS militants in Mosul - command

IRBIL, July 7 (KUNA) -- Iraqi government forces killed eight so-called Islamic State (IS) militants, including a leader, in Mosul while operations were nearing completion in the right side of the northern city, the Joint Operations Command said Friday.
The forces killed the eight IS terrorists, among them was Abu Zaid, a militant with a rank of an Amir, in the terrorist group, the command added in a statement.
The operation took place near Sheikh Al-Shatt Mosque in the Old Town in Mosul, it said.
Meanwhile, Gen. Raed Jawdat, commander of federal police, said his forces accomplished 99 percent of their combat missions, and were currently combing the Najafi area looking for IS militants and booby-trapped devices.
In another development, IS killed two Iraqi journalists southern Mosul.
"Here is Salahuddine" Channel said its war reporter Hazza' Al-Dulaimi and photographer Su'dud Al-Douri were killed in Emam Gharbi Village.
It said a third journalist was still in Mosul and trapped by IS militants.
An Iraqi and two French journalists were killed in a mine blast while covering the battles in Mosul two weeks ago.
Iraqi forces, backed by the US-led international coalition, launched military operations nine months ago to liberate Mosul from IS. (end) sbr.bs