About a month after the liberation of Mosul, a Baghdad-based television network reported, citing an Iraqi defense official, that "airstrikes have begun" and operations to retake another city from the Islamic State group have commenced. Iraqi officials announced on Tuesday that government forces are preparing to liberate the city of Tal Afar in Nineveh province. Reuters reported on Wednesday, August 15, citing the Al-Sumaria network, that airstrikes on Tal Afar, located west of Mosul, have begun. This television network identified its source as "the spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Defense." According to this network, quoting Mohammad al-Khadhari, the spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, ground operations to retake Tal Afar will begin as soon as the airstrikes are completed. The city of Tal Afar, with a population of 200,000, is located 80 kilometers west of Mosul and remains under the control of the Islamic State group, ISIS. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi returned to Mosul on July 9 and declared "complete victory" in the battle against the Islamic State militants. The Al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul was the site of the declaration of the Islamic caliphate by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State, in 2014; a news that, according to Reuters, shocked the Middle East and Western countries. The retaking of Mosul in northern Iraq by the country's military and paramilitary forces occurred three years after the city was captured by the Islamic State group. Iraqi forces, with the support of the United States, began an operation to retake Mosul nearly ten months ago in October of last year. Following the liberation of Mosul, Iraqi government officials announced that after defeating ISIS in Mosul, the focus would shift to the city of Tal Afar. The news of the bombing of ISIS positions in Tal Afar comes two days after the Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on American forces in western Mosul and Iraqi forces in Karbala. News agencies reported on Sunday, citing a statement from the Islamic State, that they targeted American forces in eastern Tal Afar with rockets. According to Reuters, some senior commanders in the Islamic State were born in Tal Afar. Following the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, Tal Afar witnessed several conflicts between Shiite and Sunni groups until it fell into the hands of ISIS.
Airstrikes Begin to Retake Tal Afar from ISIS
Iraqi forces have begun airstrikes to retake the city of Tal Afar from ISIS, following the liberation of Mosul. This operation is significant as Tal Afar remains a stronghold for ISIS, and its recapture is part of Iraq's broader efforts to eliminate the group. The situation is critical for regional stability and the ongoing fight against terrorism.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Iraqi forces have initiated airstrikes to reclaim the city of Tal Afar from ISIS, following their recent victory in Mosul. This operation is part of Iraq's ongoing efforts to eliminate ISIS strongholds in the region.
- Tal Afar has a population of approximately 200,000 and is located 80 kilometers west of Mosul.
- The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for recent attacks on American and Iraqi forces, highlighting their ongoing threat.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Tal Afar has been a contested area since the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, with a history of sectarian violence and a strong ISIS presence. The city was previously declared a stronghold for ISIS, complicating Iraq's security landscape.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%