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Battle of Tal Afar (2017)

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This article is about the Iraqi offensive against ISIL. For Operation Restoring Rights, see Battle of Tal Afar (2005).
Battle of Tal Afar (2017)
Part of the War in Iraq (2013–2017) and
the American-led intervention in Iraq
Date20 August – 2 September 2017
(1 week and 6 days)
Location
Northern Nineveh Governorate, Iraq
Result

Decisive Iraqi victory

  • Iraqi forces capture Tal Afar city on 28 August
  • Iraqi forces capture Mahalabiyah and Ayadhiyah by 2 September[1]
Belligerents
 Iraq
Supported by:
CJTF–OIR
 Iraqi Kurdistan		  Islamic State
Commanders and leaders
Iraq Lt. Gen. Abdel Emir Yarallah Islamic State Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
(Leader of ISIL)
Islamic State Abu Qatada al-Afri †
Units involved

Iraqi Security Forces

Military of ISIL
Strength

Iraq 60,000+ fighters

1,500–2,000 militants (per Iraq and US)[6][7]
Casualties and losses
115 killed, 679 wounded[1] 2,000+ killed (Iraqi claim)[1][8]
212 captured[9][8]
1,000–1,200 killed (U.S. claim)[10]
Dozens of civilians killed and 40,758 civilians displaced[1][8]

The Battle of Tal Afar was an offensive announced on 20 August 2017 by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in order to liberate the Tal Afar region from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).[11][12][13][14] Victory in the battle was declared by the Prime Minister al-Abadi following the capture of the last ISIL-held area in Tal Afar district.[15]

The offensive was concurrent with the Raqqa campaign conducted by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against ISIL's capital city and stronghold in Syria, as well as the Central Syria Campaign, by the Syrian Army to capture ISIL territory towards Deir ez-Zor.

Background

Main articles: Battle of Mosul (2016–2017) and Western Nineveh offensive (2017)

After the United States-led invasion of Iraq, Tal Afar experienced cycles of sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shi'ites and has produced some of ISIL's most senior leaders.[16] The city was captured by the militants during the early period of their June 2014 offensive.[17] It was strategically significant due to its location along a supply route between Mosul and Syria.[18]

Iraqi forces in August attacked Tal Afar, one of the last Iraqi areas under control of ISIL. The operation was launched a month after Mosul was retaken from the group.[19] The city has remained cut off from other territories of the group since June 2017.[20] Warplanes had bombarded the group's positions in the city for several days in preparation for ground operations.[11]

The battle

Advance to Tal Afar

On 20 August 2017, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the beginning of the Tal Afar offensive, telling the militants "You either surrender, or die" in a televised speech.[6] Hours beforehand, leaflets were dropped on the city telling the residents to prepare for battle.[6][21] Later, the PMU advanced three kilometers and retook four hills, progressing toward Tal Afar from the south. Iraqi airstrikes also destroyed four booby-trapped vehicles driven by suicide bombers.[2] The US-led coalition carried out dozens of airstrikes on the outskirts of the city.[11]

On 21 August, Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Yarallah said the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) seized five villages southwest of Tal Afar and cut off a road leading to the city.[22] The Federal Police and PMU that were deployed in Tal al-Housan village advanced 19 kilometers west of Tal Afar, destroying an ammunition and weapons stash. Additionally, Iraqi forces regained control of ISIL’s 250 kilometer long tunnel network, killing 20 ISIL militants in the process.[23] PMU shelling destroyed a telecommunications center and a soldiers department.[24] In order to reduce the effectiveness of Iraqi airstrikes, ISIL set fire to several oil wells in Tal Afar.[25] Some sources reported that as many as 400,000 Iraqi soldiers had been mobilized to the region in support of offensive operations in Tal Afar.[26]

Iraqi forces enter Tal Afar

On 22 August, Abu Qatada al-Afri, an ISIL recruitment officer, was killed in central Tal Afar, along with four other members, in an airstrike.[27] Iraqi army troops and the PMU entered central Tal Afar from the east. The PMU recaptured the Tarmi neighborhood with Iraqi Federal Police, located northwest of the town,[28] and two districts in the northwest and southeast of the city. In addition, the PMU killed a total of 25 militants and exploded 12 devices in the southwest region of Tal Afar.[29] The 16th Infantry Division captured two villages, an intersection, and an oil refinery from ISIL.[30]

By the end of the day, Iraqi Army captured the districts of Al-Kifah, Al-Nur and al-Askari after entering the city from southeast and northwest. An operational map published by the Iraqi military showed about three-quarters of the city remaining under militant control.[31] The al-Jazirah area, located east of Tal Afar, was also captured by Iraqi forces. It was estimated that up to 1,000 ISIL fighters still remained in the city.[32]

On 23 August, Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) retook the southwestern edge of Tal Afar, while the Iraqi Police (IP) and paramilitary troops have taken over the northwestern edge.[33]

Iraqi forces retook five villages and three neighborhoods in the east, south, and west of the city. In doing so, they took control over several strategic buildings.[34] The Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) played a part in the liberation of one of the neighborhoods, al-Mo'allameen. Lt. Gen. Yarallah said that the CTS "defused 752 improvised explosive devices and cleared seven booby-trapped houses" that day. Iraqi forces had also liberated Jolaq junction in Tal Afar.[35] The Ninevah Council announced that more that 50 percent of Tal Afar had already been recaptured by the Iraqi government and that 31 neighborhoods were captured, and 302 ISIL militants had been killed so far.[36]

Reaching the city center

By 25 August, Iraqi forces in the Tal Afar area captured over 30 neighborhoods and killed more than 300 ISIL militants, while also breaching the ISIL defense lines in the center of Tal Afar.[37] A statement from the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) claimed that elite Iraqi units seized the northern neighborhoods of Nida', Taliaa, Uruba, Nasr, and Saad. A JOC map showed that approximately three quarters of Tal Afar were under Iraqi government control, but militants still controlled the city's northeast quarter.[38]

Tal Afar center was captured by Iraqi forces, leaving 90 percent of the town under Iraqi government control.[39] CTS cleared the old citadel and its surrounding neighborhood of Basatin of militants.[40] Clashes still remain in the northern parts of the city.[40][41] It was later reported that only five percent of the city remains under ISIL control as well.[42] The CTS and Iraqi Police (IP) had also captured three districts and the Al-Rabia neighborhood, located west of the citadel.[40] Iraqi forces had also taken over 14 villages, the Shaikh Ibrahim mountain, and the Zambar mountain range, liberating the southernmost part of the Tal Afar pocket held by ISIL before the offensive began.[43]

Al-Ayadiya

Iraqi forces retook the entirety of Tal Afar by 27 August.[44] Some speculate that the rapid downfall of the city was due to the siege, lack of civilians, which allowed Iraqi troops to use heavy artillery, and an overestimation of the fighters that remained in the city.[45] Iraqi troops then headed towards the town of Al-Ayadia, in order to recapture the rest of the Tal Afar pocket.[46]

Iraqi forces were reportedly slowed by snipers, booby-traps, and roadside bombs during their advance to Al-Ayadia. Lt. Col. Salah Kareem of the Iraqi Army stated that the most diehard ISIL militants had fled to the town from Tal Afar.[47] Troops announced that complete victory in the battle would be declared when al-Ayadiya is captured.[47]

Iraqi Federal Police service chief, Lt. Gen. Shaker Jawdat announced on 28 August that 50 percent of al-Ayadiya has been captured by Iraqi forces[48] Lt. Gen. Yarallah announced on 30 August that tens of villages in the mountain areas in west and north of Aiyadhiya region, including the strategic Qulabash village, were captured from ISIL by Iraqi forces and that 29 ISIL militants had been killed.[49]

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the capture of al-Ayadia district and declared victory in Tal Afar on 31 August.[50] Iraqi military maps airdropped by the Iraqi air force a few hours after the victory declaration also show that the Nineveh province has now been cleared of ISIL as well.[51]

Despite al-Abadi's declaration, fighting continued in al-Ayadiya. Pockets of resistance remained, with Iraqi forces still trying to clear out the remaining militants. Two military officers whose units were leading the battle said scattered militants were still hiding in houses and using tunnels. Four soldiers were killed while 10 were wounded in clashes.[52] The Iraqi Army took full control of the area by 2 September.[1]

Yarallah announced later on 2 September, that Iraqi forces killed over 2,000 militants and more than 50 suicide bombers, while destroying and detonating 77 car bombs, 71 booby-trapped buildings and 990 roadside bombs. He also said that 115 Iraqi soldiers were killed while 679 were wounded in the battle. Mahalabiyah and Ayadhiyah, which are a part of the 3,206 square kilometre Tal Afar area, were freed from ISIL militants during the offensive.[1]

Execution of captives

According to Human Rights Watch, Peshmerga forces executed up to 400 ISIL members early in September 2017, who were captured or surrendered north of Tal Afar during the battle for the city.[53]

Aftermath

Main article: Hawija offensive (2017)

On 20 September 2017, about three weeks after the end of the Tal Afar offensive, the Iraqi Army launched an offensive on the Hawija Pocket, in order to recapture that region from ISIL.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Over 2,000 IS militants killed in Iraq's Tal Afar". Xinhua News Agency. 3 September 2017. Archived from the original on September 3, 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Several regions regained in Tal Afar as Iraqi troops advance from southern direction". Iraqi News. 20 August 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e يارالله يعلن عن القوات المشاركة بمعركة تلعفر, (in Arabic), Shafaaq News, 20 August 2017
  4. ^ Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (6 April 2019). "Hashd Formations of Ninawa: Interview with Nawader Shammar". Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  5. ^ "UPDATED: Iraqi forces launch military operation to liberate Tal Afar – West Mosul". Kurdistan24. 20 August 2017.
  6. ^ a b c Iraq starts offensive to take back Tal Afar from Islamic State. Reuters. 20 August 2017.
  7. ^ "IS conflict: Iraqi jets bomb Tal Afar ahead of ground assault". BBC News. 16 August 2017.
  8. ^ a b c "Peshmerga kills 130 IS militants fleeing Tal Afar toward Syria".
  9. ^ "Iraqi Troops Retake Second Neighborhood of Central Tal Afar". Basnews English. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  10. ^ "Department of Defense Press Briefing by General Townsend via teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq". U.S. Department of Defense. 31 August 2017.
  11. ^ a b c "IS conflict: Iraq launches ground offensive in Tal Afar". BBC News. 20 August 2017.
  12. ^ "Iraq begins battle to retake Tal Afar, IS bastion near Mosul: PM". Yahoo News. Agence France Presse. 20 August 2017.
  13. ^ "Iraq starts offensive to take back Tal Afar from Islamic State". Telegraph. 20 August 2017.
  14. ^ "Iraq launches offensive to retake Tal Afar from ISIL". Al Jazeera. 20 August 2017.
  15. ^ "Iraqi prime minister: Tal Afar 'liberated' from ISIS". CNN. 31 August 2017.
  16. ^ "Islamic State stronghold Tal Afar about to fall, says Iraqi military". Reuters.
  17. ^ "'Surrender or die': Iraq launches offensive to take back IS-held city of Tal Afar". Middle East Eye.
  18. ^ "Iraqi Forces Start Offensive to Retake Tal Afar From ISIS". The New York Times. 20 August 2017.
  19. ^ Chulov, Martin (20 August 2017). "Iraqi forces advance on Isis-held city of Tal Afar". The Guardian.
  20. ^ "Iraq begins battle to retake Daesh-held city of Tal Afar". TRTWorld.
  21. ^ "Iraqi Forces Start Offensive to Retake Tal Afar From ISIS". The News York Times. 20 August 2017.
  22. ^ "Troops recapture five villages in Tal Afar: Commander". Iraqi News. 21 August 2017.
  23. ^ "Tunnel network seized, as troops advance in west of Tal Afar". Iraqi News. 21 August 2017.
  24. ^ "Foreign IS members killed as troops target group's locations in Tal Afar". Iraqi News. 21 August 2017.
  25. ^ "IS militants set oil wells on fire to hinder Iraqi jets reach targets in Tal Afar". Iraqi News. 21 August 2017.
  26. ^ "500 families flee Iraq's Daesh-held Tal Afar for Syria". Anadolu Agency. 25 August 2017.
  27. ^ "UPDATED: IS recruitment officer killed, Iraqi troops advance in Tal Afar". Iraqi News. 22 August 2017.
  28. ^ "UPDATED: Iraqi forces invade central Tal Afar". Iraqi News. 22 August 2017.
  29. ^ "UPDATED: Iraqi forces kill 25 IS militants, gain ground in Tal Afar". Iraqi News. 22 August 2017.
  30. ^ "Iraqi Army Recaptures Al-Kask Oil Refinery West of Mosul". BasNews. 22 August 2017.
  31. ^ "Iraqi forces recapture three Tal Afar districts from Daesh". Iraqi forces recapture three Tal Afar districts from Daesh. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  32. ^ "Iraqi forces make gains against ISIL in Tal Afar push". Al Jazeera. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  33. ^ "Iraqi commander: Troops capture 2 neighborhoods in Tal Afar". Marine Corps Times. Associated Press. 23 August 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  34. ^ "Iraqi forces make fresh gains in Tal Afar offensive". Reuters. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  35. ^ Dwayne Harmon (25 August 2017). "Iraqi forces retake 3 more areas of Daesh-held Tal Afar". Newburgh Gazette. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  36. ^ "Islamic State: More than 2000+ killed in the battle of Tal Afar". Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  37. ^ "You are being redirected..." NRT TV. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  38. ^ "Iraqi forces say they have broken through Islamic State lines in Tal Afar". Yahoo News. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  39. ^ "Iraq says 90 percent of Tal Afar retaken from IS". ABC News. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  40. ^ a b c "Tal Afar's historic city centre recaptured from IS group, say Iraqi forces". France 24. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  41. ^ "Tal Afar battle: Iraqi forces 'dealing with final IS pockets'". BBC News. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  42. ^ "Islamic State Stronghold Tal Afar About to Fall, Says Iraqi Military". New York Times. Reuters. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  43. ^ "Iraqi forces close to liberating entire Tal Afar from IS". Xinhua. 27 August 2017. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  44. ^ "Subscribe to read". Financial Times. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  45. ^ El-Ghobashy, Tamer; Salim, Mustafa (August 27, 2017). "Iraqi military reclaims city of Tal Afar after rapid Islamic State collapse" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  46. ^ "Saudi Arabia hails liberation of Tal Afar from Daesh". Arab News. August 28, 2017.
  47. ^ a b "Iraqi forces face tough resistance from IS in final Tal Afar battle". August 28, 2017 – via www.reuters.com.
  48. ^ "Iraqi forces seize 50% of Islamic State's last Tal Afar shelter - Iraqi News".
  49. ^ "Twenty nine Islamic State militants killed near Tal Afar".
  50. ^ "U.S. lauds a "stunning victory" by Iraqi forces over ISIS". www.cbsnews.com.
  51. ^ "Maps airdropped on Nineveh, showing province totally liberated".
  52. ^ "Iraqi prime minister declares victory over IS in Tal Afar". Reuters.
  53. ^ "Kurdistan Regional Government: Allegations of Mass Executions". hrw.org. February 9, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
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