Female Islamic State militants are using children as human shields as the extremist group defends its last corner of Mosul's Old City against Iraqi troops, the military has said.

An Iraqi commander said his forces have taken Mosul's landmark al-Nuri Mosque compound that was destroyed by the Islamic State group last week.

Iraqi special forces have entered the outskirts of Mosul, taking the state television building and advancing despite fierce resistance by Islamic State (IS) fighters who hold the city.