GWER, Iraq — Iraqi troops advancing to retake the Islamic State stronghold of Mosulface an enemy that has morphed into more of a terrorist network, hiding among civilians and broadcasting misinformation to wage a tricky urban war.

The Iraqi battle for Mosul is being waged from the east and south by a force of 28,000, including 18,000 Iraqi security forces and 10,000 Kurdish fighters, according to U.S. officials. More than 100 U.S. special operations personnel are advising Iraqi and Kurdish commanders near the front lines, providing advice and helping to direct airstrikes.