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.