Iraqi forces repel Islamic State counter-attack in west Mosul: police

Iraqi forces repelled a major counter-attack by Islamic State fighters, many of them wearing suicide vests, in a district south of the Old City of Mosul, their remaining enclave in the city, at dawn on Wednesday, a police commander said.

Dozens of IS fighters were killed in the operations to push back the militants, the commander told Reuters.

Residents said the militants seized a number of blocks in the Danadan district before being driven out in fierce clashes.

In an online statement, Islamic State said it killed 40 from the Federal police forces deployed in west Mosul and destroyed eight military vehicles.

(REUTERS)