NINEVEH, Iraq: At least 27 civilians were killed in U.S.-led coalition airstrikes and a roadside bomb in western Mosul, where Iraqi forces are battling to oust IS militants from the area, according to an Iraqi activist.
Coalition warplanes struck two houses in Bab al-Baid district in western Mosul on Monday, killing 22 civilians, Saeed Abad told Anadolu Agency.
“The victims are still buried under rubble as [civil defense teams] are unable to extract them due to the ferocity of battles between government forces and IS militants,” he said.
Abad said the incident took place as coalition warplanes were trying to shoot down a IS sniper on the roof of a house.
The U.S.-led coalition has yet to comment on the report.
Meanwhile, five civilians were killed when a roadside bomb exploded in western Mosul, according to Rapid Response Officer Abdullah al-Alaf.
He said the bombing took place as scores of civilians were trying to flee western Mosul to the army-captured areas in the city.
“Fifteen other civilians, mostly women, were injured in the explosion,” he said.
In mid-February, Iraqi forces -- backed by a U.S.-led air coalition -- began fresh operations aimed at ousting IS from western Mosul, their last stronghold in the northern city.
The offensive is part of a wider campaign launched last October to retake the entire city, which IS overran in mid-2014.
