Iraqi forces say press towards key air base south of Mosul
BAGHDAD- Iraq's military said it advanced through northern villages held by Islamic State on Wednesday, on its way to an airfield which could serve as the staging ground for a future offensive on Mosul, the the biggest city held by the militants.
Army and counter-terrorism forces recaptured Telol al-Baj, about 160 miles north of Baghdad on the main north-south road on Tuesday, a senior commander participating in the offensive told Reuters.
US-led coalition air strikes have helped repel suicide car bomb attacks, the commander said. Both sides have suffered casualties, but most militants have fled into the desert, he added.
