IS 'deputy leader' killed in Iraqi air force strike
The man believed to be the deputy of Islamic State [IS] group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed in an airstrike, Reuters reported on Saturday, citing Iraqi State TV.
Ayad al-Jumaili was killed by Iraqi Air Force strikes on the region of al-Qaim, near the border with Syria.
Jumaili was with other IS militants at the time who were also reportedly killed by the raids.
He is believed to be the militant group's "second-in-command" and "war minister".
It is unclear when the strikes took place but a government statement on Saturday said Iraqi fighter jets carried out air raids against IS outside Mosul, killing more than 100 militants.
Saturday's statement said the strikes hit three IS targets in Baaj, a remote northwestern town near the Syrian border, and killed between 150-200 militants.
It said the militants had crossed over from Syria, suggesting that IS still enjoys free movement across the borders.
In January, Iraqi authorities declared eastern Mosul "fully liberated." Fighting is underway to recapture the city's western side.
Airstrikes by Iraqi Air Force and US-led international coalition have been vital to the months-long operation to retake Mosul from IS.
However, a recent spike in civilian casualties from suspected US airstrikes has drawn sharp criticism and accusations of disregard for civilian lives from rights groups, prompting US and Iraqi investigations and reviews.
However, a recent spike in civilian casualties from suspected US airstrikes has drawn sharp criticism and accusations of disregard for civilian lives from rights groups, prompting US and Iraqi investigations and reviews.