Iraqi soldiers have advanced into the main university complex in the city of Mosul as part of a new push against ISIL militants.<br /><br /> The army says the militants have been forced to retreat and a key bridge across the Tigris river has been retaken.<br /><br /> Iraqi forces enter #Mosul University campus, liberates bridge from #ISIS https://t.co/Enjbw0vnx3 #Iraq #MosulOps— Al-Masdar News (@TheArabSource) January 13, 2017<br /> <br /><br /> Seizing back control of the university would be a symbolic victory for the army.<br /><br /> Major-General Sami al-Aridhi, commander of the Iraqi counter-terrorism unit, told reporters: “This was an important stronghold for ISIL, knowing that they had their headquarters here. <br /><br /> “They certainly had equipment and well-prepared bases here, so they tried to hold on to the area at first, but the fast advance and the strong attack by our forces pushed them out.”<br /><br /> ISIL militants took control of Mosul in 2014, but over the past three months soldiers, backed up by US forces, have recaptured many districts in the east of the city.<br /><br /> Attacks against ISIL strongholds in the west are planned once the east is secure, with the operation against the militants gathering pace in recent weeks.<br /><br /> In Mosul areas retaken from Islamic State, loss and fear linger https://t.co/DTQ6JowDWX— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) January 12, 2017<br /> <br /><br /> In Mosul areas retaken from Islamic State, loss and fear linger https://t.co/DTQ6JowDWX— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) January 12, 2017<br />
