Western forces aid Iraq push on Tal Afar

(20 Aug 2017) US-backed Iraqi forces on Sunday launched a multi-pronged assault to retake the town of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, marking the next phase in the country’s war on the Islamic State group (IS). About 30 kilometres (18.5 miles) east of Tal Afar, Belgian special forces and American troops set up position on the roof of a house as Iraqi forces attempted to clear the villages of Tuaym and Mjarin two kilometres (1.2 miles) ahead of them. The coalition soldiers assisted the Iraqis with mortar strikes and intelligence gathered through their drones. They were also at the ready with guided missiles should the Iraqis come under attack by suicide vehicles. Tal Afar and the surrounding area is one of the last pockets of IS-held territory in Iraq after victory was declared in July in Mosul, the country’s second-largest city. The town, about 150 kilometres (93 miles) east of the Syrian border, sits along a major road that was once a key IS supply route.