The Latest: Iraq forces enter last village to east of Mosul

An Iraqi army soldier fires his rifle in the town of Shura, some 30 kilometers south of Mosul, Iraq, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. Iraqi troops approaching Mosul from the south advanced into Shura on Saturday after a wave of US led airstrikes and artillery shelling against Islamic State positions inside town. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic) An Iraqi army soldier fires his rifle in the town of Shura, some 30 kilometers south of Mosul, Iraq, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. Iraqi troops approaching Mosul from the south advanced into Shura on Saturday after a wave of US led airstrikes and artillery shelling against Islamic State positions inside town. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

By Associated Press October 31, 2016 2 min read

BAZWAYA, Iraq (AP) – The Latest on developments in Iraq where the offensive to take the city of Mosul from the Islamic State group is now in its third week (all times local):

1 p.m.

Iraqi special forces have entered the last village to the east of Mosul’s city limits, clearing a path toward the city that was followed by army units.

Armored vehicles, including Abrams tanks, drew mortar and small arms fire as they moved on the village of Bazwaya in the dawn assault on Monday, while allied artillery and airstrikes hit IS positions.

The army says its ninth division had moved up toward Mosul and was now approximately three miles from its eastern outskirts.