Sputnik News- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi announced on Thursday the complete liberation of the city of Tal Afar and the whole territory of the Nineveh Province from Daesh terrorists.




Tal Afar, a strategically important city in northwestern Iraq, which is located near the border with Syria, was liberated after being held by Daesh for some three years, Abadi said as cited by local TV channel. After the fall of Mosul, Tal Afar became Daesh's last stronghold in the war-plagued country.

The Iraqi government forces' operation to retake the city was kicked off on August 20. About 40,000 Iraqi servicemen and Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) fighters were taking part in the operation, according to a local militia commander.

The city was seized by militants in 2014. Before the seizure, it was home to 750,000 people.

The Iraqi federal police announced the end of the military operation to liberate the city of Tal Far on August 26.