Iraqi forces 'retake parts' of Mosul University

Iraqi army claims seizing nearly quarter of university used as base by ISIL fighters amid fierce fighting.

Since the offensive was launched in 2014, Iraqi forces have seized about a third of Mosul from ISIL [Reuters]

Iraqi forces have seized less than a quarter of Mosul University as they face stiff resistance from fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group (ISIL, also known as ISIS), according to senior Iraqi commanders overseeing the advance.

Iraqi troops entered the university, which ISIL has used as a base, from the southeast on Friday morning and by nightfall had secured a handful of buildings, Haider Fadhil and Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi, two military generals, said on a tour of the university on Saturday.

Unlike in the surrounding neighbourhoods, Iraqi officers said they believe the university grounds are largely empty of civilians and so they have been able to use air cover more liberally.

Thick clouds of black smoke rose over the sprawling complex on Saturday morning. By afternoon, clashes had intensified with volleys of sniper and mortar fire targeting the advancing Iraqi forces.

INFOGRAPHIC: Battle for Mosul: Who controls what?

Iraqi soldiers said their initial advance faced less resistance than they faced during the first weeks of the Mosul operation.

"We were targeted with only four car bombs where before (ISIL) would send 20 in one day," special forces lieutenant Zain al-Abadeen said. "And they aren't armored like before, they're just using civilian cars."

The massive operation to retake Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, from ISIL was launched in October . Since then Iraqi forces have slowly taken back about a third of the city.

The Iraqi military says it has reached two more bridges across the Tigris River, as it advances into the city.  

 It has now recaptured most districts in eastern Mosul, nearly three months into a US-backed offensive.