Iraqi forces have captured a government complex in western Mosul from the so called Islamic State group, a senior military commander has said.

Government troops are now in "full control" of eastern Mosul, according to Iraq's military, after routing Islamic State militants from that part of the city.

Gunmen killed 23 members of an ancient religious sect in northern Iraq after stopping their bus and separating followers of other faiths, as car bombings in the capital killed at least another 20 people.

Gunmen killed 23 members of the Yazidi religious minority in northern Iraq today, after stopping their bus and separating out followers of other faiths, police said.

Mortar attacks by insurgents in northern Mosul today killed two Iraqis and injured eight others, including seven school children, police and hospital officials said.