Families Displaced From Tal Afar as Iraqi Forces Begin Operation Against Islamic State

Families fled Islamic State controlled Tal Afar, with the assistance of Iraqi Armed Forces, as seen in this footage uploaded to YouTube on August 19.

The UN has said an informal camp for internally displaced persons was set up in Badoush, about 25 miles from Tal Afar. The UN estimates 10,000 to 40,000 remain in Tal Afar under the Islamic State’s control, unable to leave.

The Islamic State gained control of Tal Afar in 2014, an estimated 1,000 Islamic State militants remain in the town.

Iraqi forces officially began their operation to retake Tal Afar in the early Sunday morning, as announced by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi state television, according to the Washington Post. Credit: YouTube/Al Mawsleya via Storyful