ERBIL (Sputnik) — Tal Afar is the last major stronghold of Daesh terrorist group on the border of Iraq with Syria to the west of newly liberated Mosul.
"The plan for the storm of Tal Afar has been carried out… for the second day — we have completed its second stage. Perhaps we will start storming the city center tomorrow morning — this will be the third stage," Baba said.
According to the commander, his militia group's fighters are local Turkmen residents, and therefore they have been passionately fighting for their city.
On Sunday, the Iraqi prime minister announced the beginning of the operation to free Tal Afar. Previously, Iraqi officials had not verified publicly that the operation had launched, though Kurdish news agency Rudaw reported in the first week of August that it mission has already commenced.
Earlier on Monday, the Iraqi army seized control over the road between Mosul and Daesh-held Tal Afar.
Prior to the launch of the operation, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said that it believes that Tal Afar liberation will be "easier" than the Mosul campaign.
