Hundreds of Trapped Civilians Killed, Wounded in West Mosul

Local residents fleeing the western axis of Mosul confirmed on Wednesday the losses among civilians due to the misdirected shelling and bombing by the Iraqi forces on al-Zanjili district.

Hundreds of civilians have reportedly been killed in airstrikes in Mosul. The operation is described as the “carpet bombing” of Zanjili after the Iraqi troops were unable to push forward into the area. Some sources say the number of deaths is close to 200.

Residents of Zanjili told BasNews that the area, which is witnessing violent clashes between security forces and Islamic State (IS), came under attack by Iraqi army’s airstrikes shelling late Tuesday night and on Wednesday killing and wounding hundreds of trapped civilians, including women and children.

The sources said that "the bodies of the victims are still under the rubbles,” adding "The bombardment was severe and it targeted the houses and buildings wherein the besieged families have sough refuge."

Residents said the shelling caused great damage to civilians stranded by the heavy clashes between the IS militants and Iraqi forces.

The local residents were quoted saying that hundreds of injured civilians are in very critical conditions and the shelling is continuing despite the scarcity of medicine, food and water.

The Iraqi forces refused for the second day to allow journalists to enter the Zanjili neighborhood within the Old City district or even take photographs in the area.

However, the Iraqi Joint Operations Command has refused to talk about what iss happening in the neighborhood.


https://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/354558