Iraqi forces gather on a road leading to the southern end of Mosul airport during an offensive to retake the western side of the city on February 23, 2017. AFP / AHMAD AL-RUBAYE
BAGHDAD: Iraqi forces captured Mosul airport on Thursday hours after they launched a major offensive against Islamic State, which controls the western half of the city, state television reported.
"The Rapid Response Forces and federal police are fully in control of the airport of Mosul," state television said in a flash on its screen.
