Daesh ambush kills 3 Iraqi fighters in W. Mosul

Three pro-government fighters were killed in a Daesh ambush in western Mosul on Wednesday, according to a pro-government militia.

A group of the Hashd al-Shaabi fighters were ambushed in the village of Tal al-Jahsh in Mosul's western side, the Hashd al-Shaabi militia said in a statement.

It claimed the attack was carried out by Daesh militants, who had mixed up with returning families in the village.

"Three fighters were killed and 13 others injured in the attack," the militia said.

Army officer Jabbar Hasan said the militants had opened fire on the fighters from inside the village.

"The attack was surprising," he told Anadolu Agency.

Earlier this month, the Shia militia announced a halt of its military operations in western Mosul after capturing all areas under Daesh control.

The Iraqi military is currently engaged in a wide-ranging campaign -- launched last October in coordination with a U.S.-led air coalition -- to recapture the entire city of Mosul, Daesh's last remaining stronghold in northern Iraq.