LOC16:35
13:35 GMT
Iraqi forces gain more territory in Tal Afar
IRBIL, Aug 25 (KUNA) -- Iraqi forces said Friday they have controlled another territory in Iraq's nothern city of Tal Afar from the grip of the so-called Islamic State (IS).
They also discovered two mass graveyards that include 500 dead bodies belonging to Iraqi people who were killed by IS militants, the joint operation command's military information service said in a statement.
Earlier in the day, anti-terrorism squads managed to retake Al-Nedaa Neighborhood in Tal Afar from the IS.
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 the surrounding area are among the last pockets of IS-held territory in Iraq after victory was declared in Mosul, the country's second-largest city.
The city is located some 70km west of Mosul and about 150km east of the Syrian borde. (end)
sbr.mt