(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) IRBIL, Aug 26 (KUNA) -- Iraqi forces have retaken 90 percent of Iraq's northerly city of Tal Afar from the grip of the so-called Islamic State (IS), a military spokesman said.
Iraqi joint military and security forces are now controlling 60 percent of battlefields in general and 90 percent of Tal Afar in particular, Spokesman for the Joint Operation Command Brig. Yehia Rasoul said in a statement.
The so-called IS is controlling just a few neighborhoods in the northern city, he said, vowing that the Iraqi forces would continue fighting until they liberate the entire city.
On Friday, Iraqi forces discovered two mass graveyards that include 500 dead bodies belonging to Iraqi people who were killed by IS militants.
US-backed Iraqi forces have been making gains in their battle to retake the key area from ISIL since announcing the start of the ground offensive on Sunday.
As many as 40,000 troops are involved in the offensive.
Tal Afar and surrounding areas are among the last pockets of IS-held territory in Iraq after victory was declared in Mosul, the country's second-largest city. (end) sbr.mt
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