Iraq's state TV says a government airstrike in the militant-held northern city of Mosul killed 60 fighters from the extremists Islamic State group.

The TV says the strike at dawn on Wednesday targeted a prison in downtown Mosul used by the Islamic State as a religious court and detention facility.

The report says 60 militants were killed and about 300 people who were in the militants' custody were set free. It cited intelligence officials but provided no further information.

A Mosul resident says families of the prisoners rushed to the site to help their kin. He spoke on condition of anonymity fearing for his safety.

Iraq is facing its worst crisis since the 2011 U.S. military pullout. Islamic militants have seized much of the country's north and west.

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