At least 38 people were killed and 15 injured Sunday during fierce battles in the city of Msoul in Iraq's Nineveh province, an official said.
Sporadic clashes, bomb explosions and airstrikes continued for the third day as Iraqi security forces fought insurgent groups which have seized several neighbourhoods in the western part of Mosul city, the source told Xinhua.
The victims included 30 militants and eight civilians.
On Saturday, bodies of 21 policemen, who were earlier kidnapped by the militants, were found in the city.
The clashes started early Friday.
