Iraqi forces on Sunday launched an assault to retake the northern city of Tal Afar from ISIL terrorist group, after ousting the takfiri militants from Mosul last month.

Tal Afar lies around 70 kilometers (45 miles) west of second city Mosul, which Iraqi forces recaptured in early July in a major blow to the terrorists.

In a televised speech early Sunday, Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, dressed in military uniform and standing in front of an Iraqi flag and map of the country, announced “the start of an operation to free Tal Afar”.

“I am saying to ISIL that there’s no choice other than to leave or be killed,” he said.

“We have won all our battles, and ISIL have always lost,” he said, telling his troops: “The entire world is with you.”

Several hours after the start of the battle, the federal police said it had retaken the village of Al-Abra al-Sghira west of Tal Afar.

Source: AFP