Iraq’s Special Forces Position Themselves in Mosul

BAZWAYA, Iraq (AP) _ The city of Mosul proper is now officially contested after Iraq’s special forces crossed the city line as part of the offensive to retake Iraq’s second largest city from the Islamic State group. This is the first time in more than two years Iraq’s special forces have stepped foot in Mosul.A major general says the troops faced heavy resistance from IS forces. Mosul is the final IS bastion in Iraq, the city from which it drove out a larger but demoralized Iraqi army in 2014 and declared a “caliphate.” Entering Mosul could be the start of a grueling and slow operation for the troops, as they will be forced to engage in difficult, house-to-house fighting in urban areas.