Iraq launches offensive to retake Tal Afar

Baghdad Aug 20 (IANS) Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi on Sunday announced the launch of a military offensive to recover the Tal Afar city from the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.

In a televised address Abadi dressed in a black military uniform and standing in front of an Iraqi flag and a map of the country said the operation to free Tel Afar had started reports Efe news.

Addressing the militants the Prime Minister who is also the head of the country s armed forces said they have no option but to "surrender or die".

He finished his speech with an address to Iraqi troops: "The whole world is with you " the BBC reported.

Hours before Abadi s statement the Iraqi air force dropped leaflets over the city warning people to "prepare" for the latest assault.

"The battle is imminent and the victory is coming God willing " the leaflets read.

Tal Afar is surrounded by government troops and Shia militiamen in the south and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters in the north.

Tal Afar which has a mainly Shia-Muslim population fell to the IS in 2014.

It is located on a major road between Mosul and the Syrian border that was once a key supply route for the jihadi group.

--IANS
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