Iraqi forces close in on IS-held town west of Mosul
HALABIYAH, Iraq — Iraqi forces made significant progress as they closed in on the Islamic State-held town of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, the U.S.-led coalition and an Iraqi military spokesman said Monday.
U.S. Army Col. Ryan Dillon, a coalition spokesman, told The Associated Press that Iraqi forces have retaken some 250 square kilometres (95 square miles) from the extremist group since the operation began early Sunday, though they have not yet pushed into the town itself.
“As we get into the urban areas — as we saw in Mosul and Raqqa — that’s where we’ll see the pace slow down, that’s where (IS) have placed their defences,” he said.
Dozens of civilians fled the area. Sadia Sajet, from Tal Afar, said she walked for over a day to cross the front line and reach Iraqi forces.