Countdown begins for liberation of Iraq’s Tal Afar

Iraqi army soldiers, backed by allied fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units, are gradually entering al-Ayadiya district in Tal Afar to dislodge Daesh Takfiri terrorists from the northern city.

According to reports, the Iraqi forces engaged in heavy fighting with Daesh Takfiris at the southern entrance to Ayadiya district, which lies 11 kilometers northwest of Tal Afar, on Tuesday and managed to strongly hit the terrorists’ bases.

Daesh terrorists fled to Ayadiya after being driven out of Tal Afar and appeared to be making a last stand, according to the spokesman for Iraq’s Joint Operations Command (JOC), Brigadier General Yahya Rasool.

Clearing operations; however, were continuing slowly in Ayadiya, the last Daesh stronghold in Tal Afar, due to the existence of many civilians in the district.

Earlier, the Iraqi military said in a statement that Iraqi rapid response forces had ended their part in Tal Afar offensive, after recapture of three neighborhoods west of the city center.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi is expected to arrive in Tal Afar soon to announce its "liberation" from Daesh terrorists.