The Battle To Re-Take The ISIS Controlled Iraqi City Of Tal Afar Has Begun

Reuters: Iraq bombing Islamic State-held Tal Afar ahead of assault: Iraqi military spokesman

ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi forces are carrying out air strikes on Tal Afar, a town held by Islamic State west of Mosul, in preparation for a ground assault, an Iraqi military spokesman said on Tuesday.

Islamic State's self-proclaimed caliphate effectively collapsed last month, when U.S.-backed Iraqi forces completed the recapture of Mosul, the militants' capital in northern Iraq, after a nine-month campaign.

Parts of Iraq and Syria remain however under Islamic State control, especially along the border.

Iraqi authorities had said Tal Afar, 80 km (50 miles) west of Mosul, will be the next target in the war on Islamic State, who swept through parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014.

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More News On The Battle To Re-Take The ISIS Controlled Iraqi City Of Tal Afar

Thousands flee as Iraq steps up airstrikes on Daesh-held town -- Daily Star/AP
Iraq army launches aerial offensive against IS-controlled Tal Afar -- DW
Iraqi forces, US coalition step up airstrikes ahead of Tal Afar ops -- RUDAW
Thousands flee as air strikes hit ISIL-held Tal Afar -- Al Jazeera
Iraq is preparing to take Tal Afar, here's why it matters -- The Jerusalem Post