Islamic State orders militants to set headquarters in Tal Afar on fire
Al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) pound an Islamic State gathering in western Mosul.
“The enemy ordered militants to burn their headquarters and withdraw from open areas in Tal Afar toward buildings and narrow alleyways,” a statement by the media service of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) said.
On Monday, PMUs media service said IS set oil wells on fire to hinder military jets reach targets.
PMUs, along with security forces, resumed advance in several directions in Tal Afar town, invading al-Tenek district, east of the town, gaining control on the medical center there and started invasion on al-Jazeera district, in the northeast. Al-Khadraa district, in the south, was invaded, while wide regions of al-Kifah al-Shamali, in the northwest, were freed.
Iraqi troops resume their advance operations after Iraqi PM Haidar al-Abadi announced on Sunday in a televised speech the beginning of offensive to recapture Tal Afar, which has been held by the militants since 2014, when the extremist group first emerged to proclaim its self-styled ‘caliphate’. This came after 40 days of declaring victory in Mosul, where operations lasted between October to July.
More than 1400 Islamic State militants with Arab and foreign nationalities are estimated to be in the town, according to military commanders.