Thursday, March 28, 2024

Baghdad

Defense Ministry: date for Tal Afar invasion set, but remains classified

 Defense Ministry: date for Tal Afar invasion set, but remains classified

Joint Operations logo

Joint Operations logo

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Iraq’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday that a date had been set for the invasion of the town of Tal Afar, Islamic State’s last holdout in Nineveh province.

The ministry, said, however, that the date will not be declared to maintain the secrecy of the intended operations. “Equipment and troops are prepared for the operation’s launch,” ministry spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Mohamed al-Khdari, said.

Khodari said that though the Joint Operations Command gives “special attention” to the liberation of Tal Afar, troops can launch synchronized operations also targeting IS havens in Kirkuk’s Hawija and the western Anbar towns of Annah and Rawa.

During his weekly press briefing on Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said “a special plan” had been laid down for the liberation of the town of Tal Afar, a major IS stronghold west of Mosul that has been isolated and encircled by security forces and allied paramilitary troops.

Abadi declared earlier this month that the city of Mosul, IS’s largest stronghold in Iraq, had been recaptured from the militant group, ending more than eight months of battles. A spokesperson of the U.S.-led coalition backing the Iraqi campaign against IS said he believes the next battle would be for the liberation of Tal Afar.

 

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