Iraqi forces aim to secure Mosul bridge, link up to east bank

Smoke rises during a battle between Iraqi forces and Islamic State's militants West Mosul, Iraq, February 25, 2017. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S.-backed Iraqi forces pushed deeper into western Mosul on Sunday, aiming to capture a bridge across the Tigris which would link the city's government-held eastern bank with the ongoing offensive against remaining militants in the west.

The bridge is the southernmost of five bridges spanning the Tigris. All were damaged in strikes by the U.S.-led air coalition, and later by Islamic State fighters trying to seal off the western bank still under their control.