The Latest on the Iraqi government forces' battle to take the western half of Mosul from the ISIS group An Iraqi military spokesman says Iraqi special forces have entered a sprawling military base next to Mosul's airport on the southern edge of the city. The push came shortly after Iraqi federal police forces earlier on Thursday entered the airport grounds, taking control of the runway and exchanging fire with ISIS militants hunkered down inside the airport buildings. The two-pronged advance is part of a U.S.-baked offensive aimed at driving the ISIS group from western Mosul. The spokesman of the Joint Military Operation Command, Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool, told The Associated Press that clashes are underway inside the Ghazlani base. He didn't provide more details.
