Iraqi police say ready to join assault on east Mosul

A member of the Iraqi Army carries anti missiles during clashes with Islamic State militants at the south of Mosul, Iraq December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Several thousand Iraqi federal police are ready to join the assault against Islamic State in east Mosul, a spokesman said on Monday, reinforcing troops who have faced weeks of fierce counter-attacks from the militants.

The extra forces are being deployed as the gruelling U.S.-backed campaign to crush Islamic State in its Iraqi stronghold enters its ninth week. Elite army troops have retaken a quarter of the city, but their advance has been slow and punishing.