The Iraqi forces have regained control over 23 villages in Tal Afar over the past four days, Al-Arabiya Al-Hadath television quoted the Iraqi joint operations command as announcing on Wednesday.

The offensive started after Iraqi Prime Minister M Haidar al Abadi announced on Sunday the beginning of offensive to recapture Tal Afar.

The city has been held by the militants since 2014, when the extremist group first emerged to proclaim its self-styled ‘caliphate’.