Iraqi civil defense searches for the bodies of 100 victims in Mousl

Iraq’s Civil Defense troops resume searching for over 100 civilians from under the rubble, as their houses collapsed on them during the recent days in the framework of the current military operations witnessed in the Iraqi city of Mousl. According to security sources, about 30 housing buildings have been destroyed during the air raids that targeted New Mousl district in the southern area of the city.

Local sources revealed that 38 persons have been killed during the artillery and air bombardment on Wednesday against the areas still controlled by extremist ISIS group. They added that 38 civilians have been killed during the random artillery and air raids against the strongholds of the extremist group in the districts of Zanjli, Refaei and Najar of the city’s right bank.

Security source revealed that the civil defense troops pulled out ten bodies from under the rubbles in the district of New Mousl, saying that they were killed during air raids conducted by the International Coalition to support the Iraqi forces during their clashes with the extremist militants.

Iraqi Federal Police forces said Wednesday they became in control over internal passageways at western Mosul’s Old City, the latest development as forces struggle to control the Islamic State-held strategic neighborhood.

The forces chief, Lt. Gen. Shaker Jawdat, said the troops tightened control over passageways at the Old City Which ISIS suicide bombers and trapped vehicles would sneak through to target the security forces. “ISIS resort to shelling the populated, liberated areas so as to distract our troops, leaving tens of casualties, which requires us to hurry to the rescue,” Jawdat said.

On the other hand, Iraqi security forces have closed all entrances to the Tahrir Square, downtown Baghdad ahead of expected protests by the Sadrist Movement. On Tuesday, the movement's central committee urged Iraqis to flock to Tahrir Square next Friday for fresh demonstrations.

Rising to call of Iraqi leader Moqtada al-Sadr, all Iraqi people are invited to gather at Tahrir Square on March 24 at 8 AM to participate in bulk numbers at this public, peaceful and reformatory demonstration, a statement released by the movement's committee read.

The committee also called on protesters to avoid divisive slogans at the protests and to cooperate with the security personnel that will be present on the scene. On Friday, followers of Sadrist Movements, in collaboration with other Iraqi trends, will stage protests at Tahrir Square in Baghdad, demanding speedy measures to eliminate corruption, as well as political reform.

In the same context, one civilian was killed and three others were wounded on Wednesday in two separate bomb blasts north and west of Baghdad, according to security sources. An explosive device placed on the side of al-Seha road in al-Shaab, north of baghdad, exploded, leaving one person wounded, sources were quoted saying.

On the political side, Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim Al Jaffary met with Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg to discuss the recent developments witnessed in Iraq. The Iraqi official described the current war as a world war not traditional one. He added that ISIS targeted the markets, schools, universities, mosques and churches.