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IS conflict: Iraq army makes advances on Tal Afar | IS conflict: Iraq army makes advances on Tal Afar |
(1 day 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 city, which had a predominantly ethnic Turkmen population of 200,000 before it 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. | |
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, or PM) force helped to regain control of another village in the east, as well as areas to the south and north west. | 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. |
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. | 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, which had a sizeable Shia population before 2014. | |
Government forces on the ground, as well as Kurdish Peshmerga to the north, are being aided by 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 destroyed 40 vehicles 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. |
'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, 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. |
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. |
'Sexual slavery' | 'Sexual slavery' |
Separately, a Yazidi MP has urged the quick rescue of members of her community who may still be trapped by IS in the city. | 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 IS is 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. |
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. |