Iraqi special forces enter Mosul University where Islamic State set up base

It comes a day after Iraqi army forces in the north of the city linked up with troops pushing in from the city’s eastern edge.

The university was once used by IS militants as a base and Iraqi officials said they had also used its chemistry laboratories to produce chemical weapons.

Iraqi special forces Lieutenant General Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi said it was unclear if the complex was still being used as an IS base.


IS has constantly moved bases as militants have come under heavy bombardment from US-led coalition airstrikes and often use civilians as cover.

Earlier this month Iraqi forces retook a hospital which IS had converted into one of its bases.
The fight against IS in Iraq over the last few years has left a trail of destruction with key buildings and infrastructure destroyed.

A report released this week highlighted the environmental damages caused by oil fires intentionally started by retreating IS militants.

The UN said 11 of the fires have been extinguished, but 29 continue to burn, sending thick black smoke into the air.

As the operation enters its fourth month, Iraqi forces have taken about a third of Mosul which has been under tight IS control for more than two years.

Iraqi officials have pledged that the city would be liberated this year but the fight is likely to go on for many more months.