The Iraqi forces (ISF) continued three major thrusts into
Tal Afar, which have nearly cut the town into thirds. The army, Golden Division
and Hashd took Nour, Wahda,
Kifa, the industrial district, the Education
Directorate, and Jazira,
which the Iraqi forces claimed they took on August
22. The Islamic State was said to be herding people
with them as they retreated east. Ninewa Councilman Abdul Rahman al-Wakaa told
the press that nearly 50% of the town had been taken. Joint Operations
spokesman General Yahya Rasool added
that over 300 IS fighters had been killed so far. The ISF coming from the south
have nearly cut the town in half. The northwest and southeast fronts have linked
up and are moving towards the center. The Iraqis’ strategy has been to charge
towards the heart of Tal Afar as quickly as possible. At this rate, the Iraqis
could finish off the battle in just a few more days.
There was still some controversy
over whether several pro-Iran Hashd units withdrew from the offensive or not.
Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Kataib Hezbollah and the Khorasani Brigades reportedly pulled
out of the operation because they objected to the U.S led Coalition’s presence.
The Joint Operations Command then issued a statement saying that didn’t happen.
That was then pulled from the Command’s website however. These groups have
coveted Tal Afar for months now. It would be surprising if they didn’t want to
stay in the fight.
SOURCES
Al Alam, “Video..Joint forces liberated several
neighborhoods completely in east Tal Afar,” 8/24/17
- "Video .. The liberation of new areas
in Tal Afar and the Popular Crowd and Federal Police reach the outskirts of
Wahda," 8/24/17
Baghdad Post, “Federal Police forces recapture ISIS’ major
HQ in Tal Afar,” 8/24/17
- “Security forces recapture al-Jazeera neighborhood in Tal
Afar,” 8/24/17
- “Security forces recapture Tal Afar Education
Directorate,” 8/24/17
- “Video: Over 300 ISIS terrorists killed in Tal Afar –
Rasool,” 8/24/17
Bas News, “Iraqi Forces Advancing Towards Center of Tal
Afar,” 8/24/17
Al Ghad Press, “War Media Cell: the liberation of Wahda in
Tal Afar and the continued fighting in Rubaee,” 8/24/17
Iraqi Media Network, “Freed Hay al-Nour 1 and continue
fighting in Fawaz neighborhood in Tal Afar,” 8/24/17
Al Jazeera, "Iraqi forces make gains against ISIL in Tal Afar
push," 8/22/17
Al Mawqef TV, “Counter Terrorism Forces: The Destruction Of
The Second Line of Daesh Defenses In The Southern Industrial District, The Most
Important Neighborhood Of Tal Afar,” 8/24/17
Al Mada, “Conflicts over the withdrawal of parts of the
crowd from the Tal Afar battle,” 8/24/17
Mostafa, Mohamed, “Nineveh council: 50% of Tal Afar retaken
from Islamic State,” Iraqi News, 8/24/17
Al Noor News, “Tal Afar We Are Coming: Freed the second Nour
district and continued fighting in Araba neighborhood,” 8/24/17
Rudaw, “Commander say ISIS using human shields amid losses
in Tal Afar,” 8/24/17
1 comment:
Great piece
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