Iraq's special forces say they have begun an assault against the Islamic State group on a military base south of Mosul which is adjacent to the city's airport. <br/><br/>According to special forces officers the troops have reached the edge of the Ghazlani base on Mosul's southern rim today morning and clashes are underway. A federal police officer says his forces are also pushing towards the Mosul airport. <br/><br/>The advances come days after Iraqi forces officially launched the operation to push IS out of Mosul's western half. The operation to retake Iraq's second largest city was officially launched in October.