Iraqi forces liberated on Saturday eight villages in Zambar mountains in Tal Afar, Commander of 'We are coming Tal Afar' operation Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah said.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Jaafari has said that Iraqi forces restored about 70 percent of Tal Afar from Daesh, noting that the forces would proceed with the operation to free the remaining parts of the city.

On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi announced the launch of Tal Afar liberation operation.

Iraqi forces carried out air strikes on Tal Afar, a town held by Daesh west of Mosul, ahead of the ground assault.

Iraqi authorities had said Tal Afar, 80 km (50 miles) west of Mosul, will be the next target in the war on Daesh, who swept through parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014.

Source : Mena