Breaking: Iraqi forces begin strategic Tal Afar offensive

BEIRUT,  LEBANON (10:55 A.M.) – The Iraqi Armed Forces have kicked off their long-awaited Tal ‘Afar offensive in the northwestern countryside of the Nineveh Governorate, the spokesperson for the Popular Mobilization Units (Hashd Al-Sha’abi) reported this morning.

To begin the offensive, the Iraqi Air Force carried out several airstrikes over the Tal ‘Afar area, inflicting heavy damage on the Islamic State’s (ISIL) defenses.

While the PMU, Iraqi Army, and Sunni tribesmen have yet to carry out the ground assault, they are expected to attack in the coming days as the air force weakens the Islamic State’s resolve.

Tal ‘Afar is a strategic area located directly west of Mosul; it was one of the first places to fall to the Islamic State in 2014.