Members of the Iraqi rapid response forces look at smoke rising from clashes during a battle with Islamic State militants, south of Mosul, Iraq February 20, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani
SOUTH OF MOSUL/BAGHDAD, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S.-backed Iraqi forces battling Islamic State fighters have fought their way close to Mosul's airport on the second day of a ground offensive on the jihadists' remaining stronghold in the western side of the city, military statements said on Monday.
Federal police and elite interior ministry units known as Rapid Response are leading the charge towards the airport on the southern outskirts of Mosul and plan to turn it into a close support base for the push into western Mosul, commanders have said.
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