Kurdish Forces Launch Operation in Northern Iraq, Hundreds Reported Killed

Ahead of attempts to recapture Mosul, Kurdish forces launched an operation that reclaimed a large amount of territory. Airstrikes and fighting in that region reportedly left hundreds of militants dead, but there is, so far, no independent confirmation of any casualty figures. Assuming they are correct, however, that would leave 361 dead and 19 wounded across Iraq.

Kurdish forces killed more than 200 militants in a large operation near Mosul that allowed them to gain back a 300-square-mile area and liberate several villages. In the city, militants killed dozens of members of the Gahaish tribe and arrested dozens more.

In Baghdad, the heads of two girls were found inside a schoolbag. A dumped body was discovered. Another body was found at a separate location. Gunmen killed a civilian.

Six civilians were executed in Tikrit. Six militants were killed.

A suicide bomber in Albu Ghanem killed two Sahwa members and wounded 13 more.

In Tuz, two civilians were wounded in a grenade attack. A sticky bomb wounded another person. Gunmen killed a civilian in a drive-by shooting.

Gunmen in Taba killed a civilian and wounded his brother.

A sniper in Ishaqi wounded two civilians.

Security forces and airstrikes left 48 militants and seven suicide bombers dead after an attack against Ramadi.

Airstrikes left 37 militants dead in Qarma.

In Tal Afar, airstrikes left 31 militants dead.

Eleven militants were killed in Amiriyat al-Falluja.

An airstrike near Hit killed five militants.

Author: Margaret Griffis

Margaret Griffis is a journalist from Miami Beach, Florida and has been covering Iraqi casualties for Antiwar.com since 2006.