Iraqi fighter known as 'the Lion of Mosul’ kills six Isis jihadis in covert operation

Mohammed Qasim was also able to provide intelligence on enemy positions

A member of the Iraqi forces is seen in the Old City of Mosul on July 10, 2017, during the offensive to retake the embattled city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. (Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images)

An Iraqi soldier dubbed "the Lion of Mosul" reportedly killed six Isis fighters after sneaking behind their lines and pretending to be on their side.

Mohammed Qasim is said to have donned a smock and scarf, before sneaking past the Islamist group's heavily guarded defences in the northern Iraqi city.

He was able to kill the militant fighters after fooling them into thinking he was on their side.

The 25-year-old was also able to write down the locations of ammunition dumps,as well as sniper and machine gun teams.

He is credited with saving the lives of civilians and fellow soldiers after briefing commanders about what he learned as the battle raged last week, The Mirror reported.

After Mr Qasim's successful operation, Iraqi special forces used mortar bombs and airstrikes to bombard Isis positions, before launching an infantry attack.

“We are all very proud of what this soldier did," said Iraqi General Abdul Wahab al-Saadi. "He is a very brave man. He makes us all hold our heads up high.”

Mr Qasim was fighting with Iraqi Counter Terrorism Command forces, created by coalition forces after the 2003 invasion and trained by SAS. He is originally from Basra in southern Iraq.

The northern city had been in Isis hands since June 2014.

Shortly afterwards the group's leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed a “caliphate” from Mosul’s Great Mosque of al-Nuri. The mosque and its famous leaning minaret were destroyed by IS in June after Iraqi troops closed in on the city.

Various reports of Baghdadi's death, injury, or arrest have surfaced over time, but none have been confirmed by independent reliable sources.

Although Iraqi special forces first re-entered the city in November, it took months to dislodge the militant group from their well defended positions.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over the weekend.