Iraqi planes bombs ISIL convoy; casualties reported

The Iraqi army aircraft launched air raids to several locations in Mosul, controlled by the militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL, local sources said on Tuesday.

The aircraft destroyed a 200-vehicle convoy of militants in the Haramat region of Mosul that were heading to the capital Baghdad. Casualties were reported but the exact number has yet to be released.

The army carried out another attack in the al-Ghabat region, where the Fifth Brigade headquarters is located.

Russian Sukhoi SU-25 ground attack jets were claimed to have joined the operations, the delivery of which was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Minister, Alexander Lukashevich on Monday.

Militants, affiliated with Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL, have seized vast swathes in northern Iraq since June 15, raising fears that they might set their sights on the capital Baghdad next.