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Joint Operations Command denies ousting any commanders from Tal Afar

August 19 2017 12:21 PM
Joint Operations Command denies ousting any forces from Tal Afar
Joint Operations Command denies ousting any forces from Tal Afar

 

 

Iraqi Joint Operations Command denied in a statement Saturday preventing any commander from participating in Tal Afar operations.

The command confirmed that it will be responsible for planning the military operations and determining the sectors participating in the operations.

It will also be responsible for coordinating the efforts among the joint forces during the operations, the statement read.  

Concerning the military formations, Iraqi Defense Ministry will select the commanders, leaders, and the participants in any operation, it added.

The Interior Ministry will be in charge of its Federal police, Rapid Response Division, and border guards, the statement said, adding that it will not be responsible for the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) and the Iranian-backed al-Hashd Shiite militias.


On Friday, media reports mentioned that Iraqi security commanders barred two Federal Police brigades from participating in Tal Afar operations over human rights violations against civilians in the right bank of Mosul operations.

 

Earlier, Iraq Counter Terrorism  Service (ICTS) Lt. Gen Abdul Wahab Al-Saadi said that he will not participate in the expected operations aiming at regaining Tal Afar west of Mosul from ISIS terrorist group.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/15887/Joint-Operations-Command-denies-ousting-any-commanders-from-Tal-Afar

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IS Takes Down Flags from Its Positions in Tal Afar to Evade Strikes

 

The battle to retake Tal Afar to begin soon

Basnews English

19/08/2017 - 11:43

 
 
IS Takes Down Flags from Its Positions in Tal Afar to Evade Strikes
 

 

MOSUL — Local sources from Tal Afar district reported that the Islamic State (IS) has removed all references to its positions following the air strikes of the International Coalition and the imminent launch of a military operation.

Local sources have revealed to Iraqi media outlets that IS has taken down its flags from all its positions in Tal Afar, the IS stronghold in west of Mosul, in order to evade the aerial attacks by the US-led Coalition and Iraqi warplanes.

Moreover, the organization, according to local sources from Tal Afar, has reinforced its defense lines at the entrances of the city and stationed snipers over the roofs of the buildings. In addition to this, the militants have prepared numerous car bombs and suicide bombers.

These preparations come amid the news of the start of Tal Afar battle within the upcoming hours after the government forces completed the preparations and fully encircled the district.

Security sources pointed to the possibility of launching a simultaneous battle in the IS-held district of al-Shirqat in Salahuddin Province, to drive out the militants from the area.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/371924

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IS Inflicted with Severe Damage in Hamrin Mountains: Official

 

Basnews English

19/08/2017 - 13:10

 
 
IS Inflicted with Severe Damage in Hamrin Mountains: Official
 


KIRKUK — the Peshmerga Forces have inflicted the Islamic State (IS) militants with serious damage in Hamrin Mountains, south of Kirkuk Province, over the last two weeks.

Akram Salih, a local official, told BasNews that the IS militants have suffered an enormous damage during the past two weeks and all their offensives against the Peshmerga forces have been warded off in Hamrin mountainous area. He also noted that scores of bodies of the militants have been left behind in the area.

Salih explained that the IS militants are taking advantage of the absence of military forces in some areas in Hamrin, stressing that the Peshmerga forces are well-prepared to defeat all the plots of the extremists in the area.

He added that among the eliminated militants are senior members of the organization.

The Hamrin Mountains are a small mountain ridge extended from Diyala Province bordering Iran, crossing northern Salahuddin Province and southern Kirkuk Province. It is considered as the border between Iraq and Kurdistan Region.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/371958

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Smugglers help ISIS terrorists to flee Tal Afar for $5000 P.P.

August 19 2017 05:12 PM
smugglers help ISIS terrorists to flee Mosul
smugglers help ISIS terrorists to flee Mosul

 

Member of Iraqi National Assembly, Abbas Hasan al-Bayati on Saturday announced that smugglers in Tal Afar district in western Mosul are helping ISIS terrorists to flee the city.

They receive about 3,000 to 5,000 dollars per person, Abbas added.

Those smugglers also helped ISIS to smuggle oil and artifacts to outside Iraq, he further said, noting that smugglers are exploiting security breaches in the city.

Abbas called on Iraqi intelligence to provide information about those traffickers in order to bring them to justice.

There are no civilians in Tal Afar at the moment, only terrorists, Abbass stressed.

On Friday, Iraqi army and Federal Police forces deployed its troops on the on the outskirts of Tal Afar as part of ongoing preparations to storm the city.

The operation was code-named "We Are Coming Tal Afar".

This came as Iraqi forces sweep governorate to oust  ISIS terrorists hiding after Mosul victory. 

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/15900/Smugglers-help-ISIS-terrorists-to-flee-Tal-Afar-for-5000-P-P

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ISIS' Tal Afar leader burns group's financial documents

August 19 2017 11:08 PM
ISIS' Tal Afar leader burns group's financial documents
ISIS' Tal Afar leader burns group's financial documents

 

 

ISIS terrorists began to burn their financial documents in Tal Afar city in Nineveh governorate, a local source told The Baghdad Post on Saturday.

 

The source asserted that ISIS leader in the city ordered his militants to gather all the group's financial documents and burn it.

 

The source noted that ISIS has taken this measure to avoid revealing its terrorists' identities in case they lost the battle for Tal Afar.

 

This comes as Iraqi security forces launched on Friday 'We Are Coming, Tal Afar' operations to recapture the city, marking the end of "We Are Coming, Nineveh" operations with the recapture of Mosul.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/15915/ISIS-Tal-Afar-leader-burns-group-s-financial-documents

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Sunnis in Tal Afar concerned over new IMIS massacres

August 19 2017 11:10 PM
Tal Afar operations
Tal Afar operations

 

 

 

Sunni leaders in Tal Afar have voiced concern the city may witness new massacres and violations against civilians by Iran-backed Shiite militias, who announced their participation in the imminent battle to oust ISIS terrorists.

 

Iraqi forces, backed by US-led coalition and sectarian militias, are preparing for an offensive to liberate Tal Afar, the terror group's last stronghold in Iraq.

 

Sunni figures are concerned innocent citizens are arrested, kidnapped and killed by IMIS militias on the pretext of collaborating with ISIS.

 

IMIS terrorists have repeatedly looted houses and killed Sunnis in liberated areas to make a demographic change in the restored cities.

The terrorist organization strengthened its defense lines at the entrances to Tal Afar, deployed its snipers over rooftops, and equipped car bombs and suicide bombers.

While security sources said that another battle may be launched in conjunction with the battle of Tal Afar to restore areas in Sharqat, which is still controlled by the terror group.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/15916/Sunnis-in-Tal-Afar-concerned-over-new-IMIS-massacres

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War Media Cell forms radio station for Tal Afar residents

August 19 2017 10:29 PM
War Media Cell forms radio station for Tal Afar residents
War Media Cell forms radio station for Tal Afar residents

 

 

War Media Cell urged Tal Afar residents on Saturday to listen to a newly formed radio station and await for instructions, to know what to do when the battles to retake the city from ISIS terrorists start.

 

In a statement, the cell said that it urges civilians to listen to radio station 104.5 FM, to know the instructions required to survive to coming battles to recapture the city.

 

It added that it also formed a hot line, which is available for residents 24/7 to answer any questions.

 

This comes as Iraqi security forces launched on Friday 'We Are Coming, Tal Afar' operations to recapture the city, marking the end of "We Are Coming, Nineveh" operations with the recapture of Mosul.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/15914/War-Media-Cell-forms-radio-station-for-Tal-Afar-residents

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IS Militants Killed Amid Booby-trapping a Car

 

Basnews English

19/08/2017 - 19:58

 
 
IS Militants Killed Amid Booby-trapping a Car
 

ERBIL — Several Islamic State (IS) militants were killed or wounded while booby-trapping a vehicle in the town of Tel Afar, a local source said on Saturday. 

According to the source, who spoke to al-Sumaria News on condition of anonymity, several IS members were killed and wounded as a result of an explosion, which occurred while the militants were booby-trapping a vehicle in Hassan Kowi district, in Tel Afar. 

The source further added that among the killed IS members was one of the group's prominent explosives experts, known as Abu Baraa al-Halabi, IraqiNews reported. 

The IS militants captured the town of Tel Afar, located about 65 kilometers west of Mosul, back in June 2014. Since then the town has been a key stronghold for the extremist group. However, the Iraqi forces, backed by the US-led coalition, are currently preparing to launch a military operation against IS in the area.

 
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51 minutes ago, tigergorzow said:

Several Islamic State (IS) militants were killed or wounded while booby-trapping a vehicle in the town of Tel Afar, a local source said on Saturday. 

 

:backflip:       :backflip:       :backflip:

 

51 minutes ago, tigergorzow said:

The source further added that among the killed IS members was one of the group's prominent explosives experts, known as Abu Baraa al-Halabi, IraqiNews reported.

 

Hey, I think the world could use a few more of those IS "prominent explosives experts" as long as they only eliminate their own!!!

 

But maybe the nerves are getting the best of them with the imminent Tel Afar assault and unsteadying their hand(s) or finger(s) and makin' 'em twitch prematurely on the "BOOM" button!!!

 

YEAH, BABY!!!

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Video: Sinjar's Sunni residents urge PM to save them from IMIS

August 20 2017 10:55 AM
Video: Sinjar's Sunni residents call for PM to rescue them from IMIS
Video: Sinjar's Sunni residents call for PM to rescue them from IMIS

 

 

Iraqi Forces Union called Sunday the PM Haider Al-Abadi for halting the encroachment committed by the Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria (IMIS) in Sinjar district in western Mosul.

 

In a press conference, the union said that several of Sinjar's residents have joined IMIS militias to revenge after they had been oppressed by ISIS terrorists.

These militias are violating the rights of innocent Sunni civilians as IMIS terrorists had arrested the Sunnis over sectarian motives, the union said, adding that IMIS leaders should resolve this issue otherwise the city will turn into a reprisal arena.

IMIS is one of the main groups fomenting terror in the country as it heavily depends on support from Iran. Its foremost aim is to enforce demographic changes in the Sunni regions in Iraq. 

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/15922/Video-Sinjar-s-Sunni-residents-urge-PM-to-save-them-from-IMIS

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Iraqi Interior min., US envoy discuss Tal Afar battle in Baghdad

August 20 2017 12:11 PM
Iraqi Interior min., US envoy discuss Tal Afar battle in Baghdad
Iraqi Interior min., US envoy discuss Tal Afar battle in Baghdad

 

 

Iraqi Interior Minister Qasim al-Araji met Sunday with US envoy to the coalition fighting ISIS, Brett H. McGurk, in Baghdad, the Minister's media office said in a statement.

The statement added that they discussed several issues, including the battle of retaking Tal Afar from ISIS grip, the political, and security situations in Iraq.

Araji and McGurk stressed on the importance of continuing military cooperation between both sides to oust ISIS from Iraq, the statement added.

McGurk congratulated Araji on defeating ISIS in Mosul, praising the Iraqi forces and their courage in combating terrorism.

Earlier Sunday morning, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the beginning of Tal Afar recapture operation.

It is worth mentioning that US-led coalition is supporting and helping the Iraqi forces to liberate ISIS-controlled territories in Iraq.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/15932/Iraqi-Interior-min-US-envoy-discuss-Tal-Afar-battle-in-Baghdad

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Iraqi warplanes destroy 3 ISIS car bombs in western Tal Afar

August 20 2017 11:28 AM
Iraqi warplanes destroyed 3 ISIS car bombs in western Tal Afar
Iraqi warplanes destroyed 3 ISIS car bombs in western Tal Afar

 

 

Iraqi warplanes destroyed three ISIS car bombs in western Tal Afar, Iraqi Army said in a statement Sunday.

The statement added that these cars had tried to hinder security forces advancement toward the city.

Earlier, the Federal Police Command announced retaking Al Ebra Al Saghira area in Tal Afar from ISIS grip.

This comes as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced on Sunday the launch of Tal Afar recapture operation.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/15927/Iraqi-warplanes-destroy-3-ISIS-car-bombs-in-western-Tal-Afar

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ISIS lines collapse few hours after Tal Afar operation begins

August 20 2017 11:10 AM
Iraqi forces
Iraqi forces

 


Two of ISIS lines in Tal Afar city in western Mosul have collapsed as a result of the Iraqi air raids and surprise offensive by the security forces and Iranian Militias in Iraq and Syria (IMIS), a local source from Nineveh revealed Sunday.  
The source said that the collapse of ISIS lines comes a few hours after the launch of Tal Afar's liberation operation.
Heavy losses have been inflicted on ISIS due to the precision and concentrated bombing by the Iraqi Air force, the source, who asked to remain anonymous, added.  
On Sunday morning, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Iraqi security forces launched an offensive to take back the city of Tal Afar, their next objective in the US-backed campaign to defeat ISIS terrorists.
"You either surrender, or die," Abadi said in a televised speech announcing the offensive, addressing the terrorists.
War Media Cell urged Tal Afar residents on Saturday to listen to a newly formed radio station and wait for instructions, to know what to do when the battles to retake the city from ISIS terrorists start.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/15925/ISIS-lines-collapse-few-hours-after-Tal-Afar-operation-begins

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Video: Iraq begins battle for Tal Afar after Mosul liberation

August 20 2017 10:26 AM
Iraqi forces
Iraqi forces

 

 

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Iraqi security forces launched on Sunday an offensive to take back the city of Tal Afar, their next objective in the US-backed campaign to defeat ISIS terrorists, according to Reuters.

"You either surrender, or die," Abadi said in a televised speech announcing the offensive, addressing the terrorists.

Tal Afar, 80 km west of Mosul, was cut off from the rest of ISIS-held territory in June.

The city is surrounded by Iraqi government troops and Shiite volunteers in the south, and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters in the north.

 

 

About 2,000 battle-hardened terrorists remain in the city, according to the US and Iraqi military commanders.

They are expected to put up a tough fight, even though intelligence from inside the city indicates they have been exhausted by months of combat, aerial bombardments, and by the lack of fresh supplies.

Hours before Abadi's announcement, the Iraqi air force dropped leaflets over the city telling the population to take their precautions. 

"Prepare yourself, the battle is imminent and the victory is coming, God willing," they read.

ISIS' self-proclaimed "caliphate" effectively collapsed last month, when US-backed Iraqi forces completed the takeover of the terrorists' capital in Iraq, Mosul, after a nine-month campaign.

But parts of Iraq and Syria remain under its control, including Tal Afar, a city with a pre-war population of about 200,000.

Waves of civilians have fled the city and surrounding villages under cover of darkness over the past weeks, although several thousand are estimated to remain, threatened with death by the terrorists who have held a tight grip there since 2014.

Residents who left Tal Afar last week said that the terrorists looked exhausted.

The main forces taking part in the offensive are the Iraqi army, Federal Police and the elite US-trained Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), Iraqi commanders said.

Iranian Militias in Iraq and Syria (IMIS) said it will also take part in the battle. Its involvement is likely to worry Turkey, which claims an affinity with the area's predominantly ethnic Turkmen population.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/15920/Video-Iraq-begins-battle-for-Tal-Afar-after-Mosul-liberation

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"We Are Coming, Tal Afar" ops commander issues his first statement

August 20 2017 11:03 AM
"We Are Coming, Tal Afar" operations command issues its first statement
"We Are Coming, Tal Afar" operations command issues its first statement

 

 

"We Are Coming, Tal Afar" operations commander Gen. Abd al-Amir Rashid Yarallah, issued his first statement to mark the beginning of the mission to recapture the city from ISIS terrorists.

In the statement, Yarallah said that the battles begin as Iraqi forces destroyed ISIS' main defense line, paving the way towards the city's center.

He added that Iraqi forces will not rest until ousting ISIS terrorists from Tal Afar, like they did in Mosul.

He asserted that many forces are participating in the battles, including Iraqi Army's 9th armored division, 15th, 16th squads. Counter-terrorism services forces are participating with their special operations 1st, 3rd divisions. Federal Police forces, Rapid Response forces, Iraqi air forces and Iranian Militias in Iraq and Syria (IMIS) will also be included in the operations.
Yarallah urged Media outlets to commit with War Media Cell's instructions in covering the operations' news.

This comes as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced on Sunday the beginning of Tal Afar recapture operation.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/15923/We-Are-Coming-Tal-Afar-ops-commander-issues-his-first-statement

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Security forces push 3km deep into Tal Afar

August 20 2017 12:44 PM
4 workers killed in explosion at South Korean shipyard
Breaking

 

 

Iraqi security forces recaptured on Sunday four strategic hills overlooking Tal Afar city in Nineveh governorate.

In a statement, War Media Cell said that the security forces pushed three kilometers deep into the southern axis of the city.

It added that the security forces backed by Iranian Militias in Iraq and Syria (IMIS) also recaptured Tal al-Saban village in southwestern Tal Afar and surrounded Kurah Tabah village.

This comes as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced earlier the launch of the operations to recapture Tal Afar city from ISIS terrorists.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/15938/Security-forces-push-3km-deep-into-Tal-Afar

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  • yota691 changed the title to Abadi announced the start of the battle to liberate Tal Afar from the organization of a terrorist
Abadi announced the start of the battle to liberate Tal Afar from the organization of a terrorist
 
BAGHDAD, Aug. 20 (Petra) - Prime Minister-General of the Armed Forces of Iraq Haidar Abadi announced on Sunday the start of the battle to liberate the city of Tal Afar from the terrorist Da'ash gang. 

"All Iraqi forces will take part in the battle to liberate the city of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, such as the army, anti-terrorism, federal and local police, as well as the participation of the coalition leadership," he said. 

In the city of Tal Afar, the last terrorist stronghold in the northern province of Nineveh, some 5,000 civilians are trapped. 

- Petra (Petra) / 
Ah / Hajj 20/8/2017 - 02:01 PM
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Iraq’s Abadi Announces Tel Afar Operation

 

Basnews English

20/08/2017 - 10:08

 
 
Iraq’s Abadi Announces Tel Afar Operation
 

ERBIL — Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced on Sunday the beginning of a massive operation to liberate Tel Afar from Islamic State (IS).

In a televised statement, Abadi said that the remaining jihadists in Tel Afar (some 65 kilometres west of Mosul) have the choice only between “surrender or die”.

The Iraqi army, counterterrorism forces, federal police and the Shi’ite Arab militias of Hashd al-Shaabi, backed by the country’s airpower, are part of the offensive, Abadi said.

Nearly 40,000 Iraqi troops are said to be deployed to the new frontline whereas 2,000 IS insurgents are expected to be in the town.

Hours before the beginning of the assault, the Iraqi jets dropped leaflets over Tel Afar to warn people about the attack. "The battle is imminent and the victory is coming, God willing," the leaflets read.

Tel Afar, mainly populated by Shi’ite Turkmen, has been under the control of IS since mid-2014 when the jihadist group crossed the Syrian borders into Iraq and seized swathes of territories in the north and west of the county.

 
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Yezidi MP Calls on Iraqi Forces to Rescue Yezidi Abductees in Tal Afar

 

Basnews English

20/08/2017 - 12:21

 
 
Yezidi MP Calls on Iraqi Forces to Rescue Yezidi Abductees in Tal Afar
 


ERBIL — The Yezidi representative to the Iraqi parliament Vian Dakhil called on commanders of Tal Afar operation which was declared today, to rescue the large number of Yezidis believed to be held in the Islamic State’s (IS) captivity in the district.
  
Commending the security forces involved in this long-awaited battle, Dakhil renewed a call on all military field commanders to pay attention to the presence of large numbers of abducted Yezidis in Tal Afar and its vicinity, and the need to rescue them as soon as possible.

The Yezidi MP also warned about the Yezidi children who were abducted at an early age whose names and identities as well as religion might have been changed by the IS militants who abducted or bought them.

“We demand the relevant security authorities to investigate the identity papers of the imminent IDPs or residents of the areas to be liberated later to prevent the smuggling of Yezidi abductees to other areas or to displacement camps,” said Dakhil.
 
She added that they had information about the presence of hundreds of Yezidi families in Tal Afar and its vicinity, noting that some of them may have been smuggled to other areas before the complete siege of Tal Afar.

 
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350 Yezidi Abductees Believed to Be in Tel Afar: Official

 

Basnews English

20/08/2017 - 13:35

 
 
350 Yezidi Abductees Believed to Be in Tel Afar: Official
 

ERBIL Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has estimated 350 Kurdish Yezidi abductees to be held by Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq’s northern town of Tel Afar.

In a statement to BasNews, Eidan Kalo, head of KRG’s office for Yezidi Abductees' Affairs in Duhok, said the huge number of Yezidi women and children abductees need to be protected amid the Tel Afar operation which was kicked off on Sunday, 20th August.

He explained that the number is not accurate but based on the information they have obtained. “We urge [the Iraqi government] to prepare a rescue operation to go in parallel with the military offensives against Daesh in Tel Afar,” said Kalo, hoping to encourage the army to locate and rescue Yezidi individuals amid its advancements.

Earlier today, Yezidi lawmaker Vian Dakhil called on all military field commanders to pay attention to the presence of large numbers of abducted Yezidis in Tal Afar and its vicinity, and the need to rescue them as soon as possible.

The Yezidi MP also warned about the Yezidi children who were abducted at an early age whose names and identities as well as religion might have been changed by the IS militants who abducted or bought them.

Following weeks of military preparations, thousands of Iraqi army troops, counter-terror and federal police forces together with Shi’ite Arab militia forces launched the Tel Afar operation to drive the extremist group out of the predominantly Shi’ite Turkmen town in northern Iraq.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/372222

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Iraqi military begins important offensive to expel ISIL from northwest Iraq

20/08/2017
0

Iraqi-tank-733x516.jpg

BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:55 A.M.) – The Iraqi Armed Forces kicked off their long-awaited Tal ‘Afar offensive in the northwestern countryside of the Nineveh Governorate, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-‘Abadi announced this morning.

Led by the Federal Police and Iraqi Army, the armed forces stormed the Tal ‘Afar area from several axes, inflicting heavy damage on the Islamic State’s (ISIL) defenses.

According to the Iraqi military, their forces have already liberated the Al-‘Abrah Al-Saghirah area near Tal ‘Afar after overrunning the terrorist group’s positions near the city.

 

Once the Iraqi military takes control of Tal’Afar, the Islamic State will find themselves in serious trouble, as the former clears the remaining pockets of resistance in the Nineveh Governorate.

 

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iraqi-military-begins-important-offensive-expel-isil-northwest-iraq/

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Iraqi Army sweeps through Tal Afar pocket, multiple villages liberated from ISIS

20/08/2017
0
Iraqi-flag-912x516.jpg
 

DAMASCUS, SYRIA (2:05 P.M.) – After officially restarting the Tal Afar offensive this morning, the Iraqi Armed Forces – backed by Kataib Hezbollah and the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) – sent thousands of troops and hundreds of armored vehicles into battle, thereby quickly brushing aside any jihadist resistance.

According to an Al-Masdar News source on the ground, the Iraqi Army imposed full control over the villages of Tall Al-Saban and Al-Abra Al-Saghiyrah around noon, thus advancing towards the western gates of Tal Afar city.

In the same time, the Iraqi Army advanced on another axis in western Nineveh, capturing a handful of checkpoints near the ISIS-held towns of Al-Saad, Al-Zahraa and Al-Wahdaa.

lg.php?bannerid=92&campaignid=13&zoneid=

Next up, the Iraqi armored contingents hope to envelop the town of Qarah Tabah in a move that would secure a launching pad for the coming assault on the main Islamic State stronghold, the predominately Turkmen city of Tal Afar.

Al-Masdar News first predicted the Tal Afar offensive on July 21 earlier this year; however, the political game in Baghdad has postponed the campaign several times, thus prolonging the elimination of the long-standing ISIS pocket.

Tal Afar was encircled in late 2016 but has not remained a priority until now due to the 9-month battle for Mosul, Nineveh’s provincial capital.

 

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iraqi-army-sweeps-tal-afar-pocket-multiple-villages-liberated-isis/

Edited by tigergorzow
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Iraq war map: Who controls what

As fighting in parts of Iraq intensifies, a visual breakdown of the control of territory after years of war.

Yarno Ritzen | 20 Aug 2017 11:17 GMT | Iraq, ISIS, Middle East, Battle for Mosul, Maps

 
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After more than a decade of instability, parts of Iraq still lie in shambles, with several forces and groups fighting for control of large parts of the country.

Supported by air strikes from US-led coalition warplanes, the Iraqi government and Kurdish forces have been trying to take territory from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) armed group.

Currently, Mosul is ISIL's only stronghold in the country, the group having suffered a number of territorial losses over the past few months.

ISIL has been losing territory not only in Iraq, but also in Syria, as this map of the Syrian civil war shows.

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Iraq launches offensive to retake Tal Afar from ISIL (Video in link)

PM Haider al-Abadi announces ground operation to retake the northern city, telling ISIL fighters 'surrender, or die'.

20 Aug 2017 11:18 GMT

 

 

Iraqi forces have launched a ground offensive to retake a key ISIL-held area in the northern part of the country, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said.

"You either surrender, or die", Abadi said in a televised speech announcing the operation early on Sunday. 

He was addressing Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) fighters, who have been in control of the city since 2014. 

Tal Afar and the surrounding area are among the last pockets of ISIL-held territory in Iraq, after victory was declared in Mosul, the country's second-largest city.

Iraqi officials believe there are between 1,400 and 1,600 ISIL fighters in the Tal Afar area, including many foreign fighters, according to Iraqi Brigadier Generai Yahia Rasool who spoke through an interpreter on Saturday.

"I don't think it will be tougher than the battle of Mosul," he told reporters.

A US-led coalition is providing air support to the Iraqi troops. In recent days, it has been carrying out dozens of air strikes on Tal Afar, targeting weapons depots and command centres.

Iraq who controls what infographic
 

Tal Afar is west of Mosul and about 150km east of the Syrian border, sitting along a major road that was a key ISIL supply route.

The town had a population of about 200,000 before it fell to ISIL in 2014. The UN estimates that between 10,000 to 40,000 people are left in Tal Afar and surrounding villages. 

'Prepare yourself'

Hours before Abadi's announcement, the Iraqi air force dropped leaflets over the city, telling the population to take precautions. 

"Prepare yourself, the battle is imminent and the victory is coming," they read. 

Matthew Glanville, a military analyst who had formerly advised the Iraqi government, said ISIL has "no hope of winning this battle". 

"Their aim will be to draw out the battle as long as possible and inflict maximum casualties on the Iraqi government," he said, adding that fighters may use improvised bombs and use civilians as hostages to slow the battle. 

Retired US General Mark Kimmitt said that while retaking Tal Afar would be an "important milestone", it would not mean final days for ISIL. 

"We're not looking at the final days of ISIS, either in Iraq or in Syria, or outside of those countries," Kimmitt told Al Jazeera. "It still remains a very, very potent force, not only in the self-proclaimed caliphate, but we continue to see ISIS-inspired attacks in places such as Barcelona and elsewhere." 

 

Thousands of Iraqis have fled to Iraq's Kurdish region as preparations of the offensive continued.

The Norwegian Refugee Council said on Saturday that refugees near the northern city of Tal Afar were faced with harsh conditions, and were stopped by authorities in east of Mosul and Kurdish areas as they tried to flee the fighting.

"It's very hard for them to move through," Melany Markham, a spokesman of the humanitarian group, told Al Jazeera, adding that one transit site was already at full capacity, and could not take more refugees.

She said that temperatures in the height of summer of between 45 and 50 degrees Celcius make journeys even more challenging.

Markham said that while their transit site in Hammam al-Alil is full, other camps such as in Khazar, west of the Kurdish city of Erbil, could accommodate up to 40,000 refugees.

An estimated 50,000 people have fled the areas surrounding Tal Afar since April, and at least 50,000 more could flee in the coming days and weeks, according to aid groups. 

That number is in addition to the estimated one million refugees who have fled Mosul.

Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/iraq-launches-offensive-retake-tal-afar-isil-170820003243879.html

Edited by tigergorzow
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