Shiite Militia to Liberate Tal Afar From Daesh Despite Turkey's Objections

Despite Ankara's warnings, Shiite militia will participate in the liberation of the Iraqi city of Tal Afar with Sunni Turkmen population.

CAIRO (Sputnik) — Shiite militia will take part in the liberation of the Iraqi city of Tal Afar from the Daesh terror group (outlawed in Russia) despite Ankara's objections, Yahya Rasul Zubaidi, a spokesman for the Iraqi Joint Special Operations Command, said Sunday.

"The militia will participate in the battle. It has an important part of the front, and it is going to cut communication and supply channels of Daesh between Mosul and Syria," the spokesman said.

On Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan outlined plans to increase Turkish military personnel on the border with Iraq. He warned of response if Shiite militia takes part in the fighting in Tal Afar, which is mostly populated by the Iraqi Turkmens.