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IS conflict: Iraq army makes advances on Tal Afar IS conflict: Iraq army makes advances on Tal Afar
(35 minutes later)
The Iraqi army says it has taken a number of villages on the outskirts of Tal Afar as part of a major offensive against so-called Islamic State (IS).The Iraqi army says it has taken a number of villages on the outskirts of Tal Afar as part of a major offensive against so-called Islamic State (IS).
It comes as the UN warns thousands fleeing the northern city are at risk, trekking for hours in extreme heat.It comes as the UN warns thousands fleeing the northern city are at risk, trekking for hours in extreme heat.
Separately, Iraqi forces are being urged to rescue people from the minority Yazidi community who the militants may be holding as slaves.Separately, Iraqi forces are being urged to rescue people from the minority Yazidi community who the militants may be holding as slaves.
Tal Afar is one of the last urban strongholds held by IS in the country.Tal Afar is one of the last urban strongholds held by IS in the country.
The mainly Shia Muslim city, which fell to IS in 2014, has strategic significance as it sits on what was once a major jihadist supply route between Mosul and the Syrian border. The mainly Shia Muslim city, which fell to IS in 2014, has strategic significance as it sits on what was once a major jihadist supply route between the militants' former stronghold, Mosul, and the Syrian border.
After the fall of Mosul in July, it became the last major population centre under IS control in the north.
A major offensive to retake the city was launched on Sunday.
Lt Gen Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah, who is leading the Tal Afar operation, said the army had "liberated" five villages to the east of the city, while counter-terrorism forces advanced through two villages in the south west.Lt Gen Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah, who is leading the Tal Afar operation, said the army had "liberated" five villages to the east of the city, while counter-terrorism forces advanced through two villages in the south west.
Shia militiamen from the paramilitary Popular Mobilisation (Hashd al-Shaabi) force helped to regain control of another village in the east, as well as the southern part of the Zambar mountain range and two villages to the north west of Tal Afar. Shia militiamen from the paramilitary Popular Mobilisation (Hashd al-Shaabi, or PM) force helped to regain control of another village in the east, as well as areas to the south and north west.
The commander of the Iraqi Federal Police, Lt Gen Raed Jawdat, said his forces, backed by PM fighters, had taken another two villages and killed 20 IS militants. Iraqi Federal Police commander Lt Gen Raed Jawdat said his forces, backed by PM fighters, had already taken another two villages and killed 20 IS militants.
The PM, which did not play a big part in retaking the mainly Sunni city of Mosul, has taken a far more active role in Tal Afar.The PM, which did not play a big part in retaking the mainly Sunni city of Mosul, has taken a far more active role in Tal Afar.
Government forces on the ground, as well as Kurdish Peshmerga to the north of the city, are being aided by dozens of US-led coalition air strikes. Government forces on the ground, as well as Kurdish Peshmerga to the north, are being aided by US-led coalition air strikes.
Meanwhile, IS said via its Amaq news agency that it had killed 114 Iraqi troops and members of "an allied militia" on the first day of fighting. Meanwhile, IS said via its Amaq news agency that it had killed 114 Iraqi troops and destroyed 40 vehicles on the first day of fighting.
It said some 40 vehicles, including two tanks, belonging to "enemy forces" had been destroyed in three suicide attacks.
'Exhausted and dehydrated''Exhausted and dehydrated'
The UN's humanitarian co-ordinator for Iraq, Lise Grande, warned on Sunday that thousands of civilians fleeing for safety faced extreme conditions, with reports of tough conditions inside the city.The UN's humanitarian co-ordinator for Iraq, Lise Grande, warned on Sunday that thousands of civilians fleeing for safety faced extreme conditions, with reports of tough conditions inside the city.
"Families are trekking for 10 to 20 hours in extreme heat to reach mustering points. They are arriving exhausted and dehydrated.""Families are trekking for 10 to 20 hours in extreme heat to reach mustering points. They are arriving exhausted and dehydrated."
Ms Grande said more than 30,000 people had already fled the district, and the UN was preparing for the arrival of thousands more in the coming days and weeks. Ms Grande said more than 30,000 people had already fled, and the UN was preparing for the arrival of thousands more in the coming days and weeks.
On conditions inside the city, she said: "Food and water are running out, and people lack the basic necessities to survive."
Anti-IS coalition forces estimate that between 50,000 and 100,000 civilians remain in and around the city.Anti-IS coalition forces estimate that between 50,000 and 100,000 civilians remain in and around the city.
The Iraqi air force dropped leaflets over the city warning people to "prepare" for the latest assault.
'Sexual slavery''Sexual slavery'
Separately on Monday, a Yazidi member of parliament urged the quick rescue of members of her community that may still be trapped by IS in and around Tal Afar. Separately, a Yazidi MP has urged the quick rescue of members of her community who may still be trapped by IS in the city.
In a statement reported by Reuters, Vian Dakhil said she was particularly concerned about the fate of children who had been kidnapped, sold or had their identities changed.In a statement reported by Reuters, Vian Dakhil said she was particularly concerned about the fate of children who had been kidnapped, sold or had their identities changed.
The UN said recently that the militants are holding about 3,000 Yazidi women and girls in conditions of sexual slavery. The UN said recently that IS is holding about 3,000 Yazidi women and girls in conditions of sexual slavery.
Announcing the new military offensive on Sunday, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the jihadists had the choice between "surrender or die".Announcing the new military offensive on Sunday, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the jihadists had the choice between "surrender or die".
A senior Iraqi commander, who was once mayor of Tal Afar, estimates there to be between 1,500 and 2,000 militants and their family members left in the city.A senior Iraqi commander, who was once mayor of Tal Afar, estimates there to be between 1,500 and 2,000 militants and their family members left in the city.
Maj-Gen Najm al-Jabouri told Reuters news agency the jihadists were "worn out and demoralised" and that he did not expect a fierce battle for the town like the one for Mosul, which lasted almost nine months and took a heavy toll on Iraqi forces.
Beside Tal Afar, IS controls territory around Hawija, 170km (105 miles) to the south-east; and from Ana to Al-Qaim in the Euphrates river valley, 220km to the south.Beside Tal Afar, IS controls territory around Hawija, 170km (105 miles) to the south-east; and from Ana to Al-Qaim in the Euphrates river valley, 220km to the south.