UN warns of more displaced Iraqis as battle to retake IS stronghold begins

The United Nations is warning that thousands of civilians are expected to flee Islamic State-held Tal Afar and surrounding areas where Iraqi security forces have launched an operation to retake the town.

The Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, Lise Grande, describes the situation inside Tal Afar as “very tough,” where food and water are running out and people lack the basic necessities. Grande says more than 30,000 people have already fled, but didn’t say since when.

In a statement issued hours after the multi-pronged operation was announced, Grande expressed concerns “about the extreme risks that families are facing” and called on warring parties to protect the civilians.

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.

— AP