According to information received by Sputnik from sources in the Iraqi army, the US military is currently stationed in vicinity of the city of Tal Afar, preparing for the upcoming battle.
Aydın Maruf, a Representative of the Turkmen Popular Front in Iraq, Member of the Parliament of the Regional Administration of Iraqi Kurdistan spoke to Sputnik Turkey in an interview about how the US forces are preparing to participate in the liberation of Tal Afar.
“In preparation for the operation for the liberation of Tal Afar, the US is creating a military base near the city. The US military will take part in this operation and they will work together with the Iraqi army,” Maruf said.
He further said that smaller number of militias such as Hasd Al-Shaabi and a larger number of members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party are set to participate in the liberation of Tal Afar together with the US forces.
“There is no single military force in the region. Tal Afar has been in a besieged position since the operation to liberate Mosul. We want the operation to start as soon as possible,” he said.
He further said that more than 400,000 Turkmen, natives of Tal Afar, cannot return to their homes because of the presence of Daesh in the city.
“The UN, as well as other human rights and humanitarian organizations, should also initiate a process of providing assistance to the inhabitants of Tal Afar,” Maruf concluded.
On July 26, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi pledged to liberate both the city of Tal Afar and the Al-Hawija district from Daesh in the same resolute manner that the city of Mosul was liberated earlier that month.
On Thursday, the coalition conducted three strikes near Tal Afar that engaged two Daesh tactical units and destroyed warehouses, terrorist-held buildings, tunnel entrances and a command and control node.
