Iraqi forces battling militants advance deeper into Mosul

BAGHDAD — Iraqi forces reached one of Mosul’s five destroyed bridges on Monday as they pushed deeper into the western half of Iraq’s secondcity, driving Islamic State militants back with the help of U.S.-led airstrikes.

Maj. Gen Thamir al-Hussaini said the militarized Federal Police advanced in the face of snipers, anti-tank missiles and suicide car bombs, describing “fierce” clashes in which Iraqi forces suffered casualties, without providing exact numbers.

Medics at one field hospital said they had received more than 20 casualties. U.S.-led airstrikes disabled the bridges in a bid to isolate the militants in the western half of the city. Iraq declared eastern Mosul “fully liberated” last month, but militants have carried out attacks there since then.