Politics
12:14, 21-Aug-2017
Iraqi forces launch operation to free Tal Afar from ISIL militants
["other","Iraq"]
Share
Copied
Iraq's security forces on Sunday launched a new operation to liberate Tal Afar from ISIL militants, the Iraqi military said.
The targeted area of Tal Afar is about 3,206 square kilometers, which consists of the town of Tal Afar itself and the districts of Ayadhiyah and Mahalabiyah, in addition to about 47 villages scattered in the area, according to information obtained from the official Iraqiya television.
Earlier, the army's Major General Najim al-Jubouri, commander of Nineveh's Operations Command, told reporters that he estimated there were between 1,500 and 2,000 ISIL militants left in Tal Afar.
On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared the start of an operation to retake control of the northern town Tal Afar from ISIL militants.
"We announce the launch of an operation to liberate Tal Afar. I say to Daesh (ISIL militants) – either you surrender or die," Abadi said in a televised speech."
"As we announce the start of the operation to liberate Tal Afar we salute the heroic Iraqi forces who fight to bring victory, freedom and peace," Abadi said.
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency