Iraqi Special Forces Gain Ground in the Battle for Mosul

Iraqi Special Forces joined the new offensive to take down ISIS in the battle for Mosul. The addition of the elite troops is a key part of a multi-pronged assault to take back Iraq's second largest city.

Maj. Gen. Maan al-Saadi said the forces have advanced to the town of Bartella with the aid of U.S.-led coalition airstrikes and heavy artillery on the fourth day of a massive operation.

"God willing, we will take this town today," he said.

The jihadists fought back, unleashing at least four suicide car bombs against advancing forces. One booby-trapped car exploded after it was hit by tank fire. It is not yet known if there were any casualties.

Meanwhile, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters continue to gain more ground in Qaraqosh, a historically Christian town 10 miles south of Mosul.

"We are on our way to liberate Mosul," Capt. Raad, an Iraqi Special Forces commander, said. "God willing, we will soon announce the liberation of Mosul from the Daesh terrorists."

The fighters also discovered an underground tunnel network previously used by the Islamic State in the town of Badana.

ISIS fighters are believed to have built the tunnels in areas they've captured so they could move around without being seen above ground.

The tunnels show how the operatives maintained supply lines and communication in other areas under their control.

According to one Peshmerga fighter, ISIS jihadists were cooking food in one of the tunnels when he and his troops attacked them.