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‘Surrender or die’: Iraq launches operation to retake ISIS-held Tal Afar near Mosul ‘Surrender or die’: Iraq launches operation to retake ISIS-held Tal Afar near Mosul
(35 minutes later)
Iraq's military have launched an operation to liberate the city of Tal Afar, some 80 kilometers west of Mosul, from Islamic State terrorists, the country’s prime minister has announced.Iraq's military have launched an operation to liberate the city of Tal Afar, some 80 kilometers west of Mosul, from Islamic State terrorists, the country’s prime minister has announced.
“You either surrender, or die,” PM Haider al-Abadi said in a televised address, as cited by Reuters.“You either surrender, or die,” PM Haider al-Abadi said in a televised address, as cited by Reuters.
“As we announce the start of operations to liberate Tal Afar we salute the heroic Iraqi forces who fight to bring victory, freedom and peace,” Abadi added on Twitter.“As we announce the start of operations to liberate Tal Afar we salute the heroic Iraqi forces who fight to bring victory, freedom and peace,” Abadi added on Twitter.
About 2,000 battle-hardened militants remain in the city, according to US and Iraqi military commanders, AAP reported. Fearing the ground offensive, many of the city’s residents have begun to flee the area.About 2,000 battle-hardened militants remain in the city, according to US and Iraqi military commanders, AAP reported. Fearing the ground offensive, many of the city’s residents have begun to flee the area.
Some 50,000 people have fled the areas surrounding Tal Afar since April, Al Jazeera reports, adding that at least 50,000 more may try to escape the city in the near future.Some 50,000 people have fled the areas surrounding Tal Afar since April, Al Jazeera reports, adding that at least 50,000 more may try to escape the city in the near future.
READ MORE: Iraqi special forces abused civilians during Mosul campaign, PM admits
The city of Tal Afar in the Nineveh Governorate lies just 80 km west of Mosul, which the Iraqi army and the US-anti IS coalition liberated in July following eight months of battle. The city also sits some 150km east of the Syrian border and serves as the major supply route of Islamic State.The city of Tal Afar in the Nineveh Governorate lies just 80 km west of Mosul, which the Iraqi army and the US-anti IS coalition liberated in July following eight months of battle. The city also sits some 150km east of the Syrian border and serves as the major supply route of Islamic State.
Iraqi government forces were deployed in four areas at the start of the ground offensive, according to Al Arabiya sources on the ground. They also allegedly cut all escape routes in and out of Tal Afar. The military then began an intense shelling of ISIS positions.Iraqi government forces were deployed in four areas at the start of the ground offensive, according to Al Arabiya sources on the ground. They also allegedly cut all escape routes in and out of Tal Afar. The military then began an intense shelling of ISIS positions.
According to reports, in addition to Iraqi government troops and Shiite militia, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are also taking part in the battle in the north.According to reports, in addition to Iraqi government troops and Shiite militia, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are also taking part in the battle in the north.
The Iraqi air force intensified its air strikes on terrorists in Tal Afar prior to the ground operation, Sky News Arabia reported citing a military source on the ground.The Iraqi air force intensified its air strikes on terrorists in Tal Afar prior to the ground operation, Sky News Arabia reported citing a military source on the ground.
The continuous air strikes are aimed at destroying the defense positions of the terrorist organization and its military capabilities. The air raids coincided with the continued arrival of military reinforcements, including heavy artillery on the border of Tal Afar.The continuous air strikes are aimed at destroying the defense positions of the terrorist organization and its military capabilities. The air raids coincided with the continued arrival of military reinforcements, including heavy artillery on the border of Tal Afar.
The US-led Coalition reportedly begun targeting IS positions in the city roughly a month after securing victory in Mosul. According to information obtained by the Sputnik news agency, the US military is currently stationed in the vicinity of the city of Tal Afar.The US-led Coalition reportedly begun targeting IS positions in the city roughly a month after securing victory in Mosul. According to information obtained by the Sputnik news agency, the US military is currently stationed in the vicinity of the city of Tal Afar.
“In preparation for the operation for the liberation of Tal Afar, the US is creating a military base near the city. The US military will take part in this operation and they will work together with the Iraqi army,” Aydin Maruf, a representative of the Turkmen Popular Front in Iraq and MP the Regional Administration of Iraqi Kurdistan told Sputnik Turkey.“In preparation for the operation for the liberation of Tal Afar, the US is creating a military base near the city. The US military will take part in this operation and they will work together with the Iraqi army,” Aydin Maruf, a representative of the Turkmen Popular Front in Iraq and MP the Regional Administration of Iraqi Kurdistan told Sputnik Turkey.