Iraqi forces clear Daesh from Tal Afar city

By Ibrahim Saleh

BAGHDAD (AA) - Iraqi armed forces have pushed out Daesh from Tal Afar city while some parts of the district bearing the same name remain under the terrorist group’s control, a senior army official said Sunday.

“Joint forces of the army and the Hashd al-Shaabi -- a pro-government Shia militia -- have liberated two neighborhoods of Al-Askari and the Al-Senaa Al-Shamaliya, as well as the Al-Maaredh area, Tal Afar Gate and the Al-Rahma village in the eastern part of the city,” Lt.-Gen. Abdul-Amir Yarallah, Mosul operation commander, said in a televised statement.

While all parts of the city have been recaptured, fighting for control of some parts of Tal Afar district continues.

Yarallah said only the Al-Ayadieh area and its surrounding villages in the district now remain in Daesh’s grip, adding the armed forces were advancing “towards the last targets in order to liberate them”.

On Sunday, the Iraqi government launched a major offensive to retake Tal Afar, involving army troops, federal police units, counter-terrorism forces and armed members of Hashd al-Shaabi -- a largely Shia force that was incorporated into the Iraqi army last year.

Ministry of Displacement and Migration official Zuhair Talal al-Salem told Anadolu Agency 1,500 people fled the district’s surrounding villages and areas.

"The displaced people were transferred from security checkpoints to Nimrod camp, where they are receiving relief assistance,” Al-Salem said.

Nimrud camp in the southeast of Mosul is said to have a capacity to house 3,000 families.

The ministry transformed some 500 displaced families to the camp after checking their names Saturday in the district of Hamam al-Alil, south of Mosul.