Iraqi special forces are now less than 1.5 kms from the eastern outskirts of Mosul and are preparing to enter the city held by Islamic State fighters.<br/><br/>Hundreds of Counter-Terrorism Service troops entered Bazwaya, the last village before the city limits, after launching a dawn assault today. <br/><br/>There was some resistance, with car bombs targeting the convoy. Units of the army's ninth division are meanwhile advancing from the south. <br/><br/>Earlier, the military announced the start of an operation to retake Mosul's "left bank", a reference to the eastern side of the River Tigris, which flows through the city from north to south.