Iraqi regular troops and American forces are engaged in house-to-house ferocious fighting in the town of Tal Afar abutting the Syrian-Iraqi border in a major assault aimed a crushing hideouts of armed insurgents, Iraqi Interior Minister Baqer Jabr Solagh said on Monday. "The terrorists have been dealt a harsh blow that caused them to lose balance," Solagh said at a news conference, briefing the public about latest develpments in the town that has been vacated of civilians before the Iraqi-allied thrust, combing its narrow alleways, bursting into rooms and underground chambers.The terrorists booby trapped houses in the district of Al-Sarai in a bid to inflict heavy casualties among the advancing forces, but their plan failed, he said, adding that the insurgents, entrenched in the town were estimated at 900, including Arabs, Afghans and Iraqis. On civilians' condition, he said up to 11,259 inhabitants of the town were relocated to spare them the fighting, and affirmed that all necessities were secured for them, adding that 50 million dollars were earmarked for rebuilding the town. Earlier today, Iraqi security officials said 80 percent of the town was under the control of joint security forces, Iraqi and American, and that it had been rid of militants.
Head of Iraqi Police Commandos Rasheid Fleih told reporters that army and police forces, with US forces backup, liberated 80 percent of the town from militants' control and were close to freeing Al-Sarai area completely. He added scores of terrorists were arrested including some Arab nationals and foreigners. He said 47 out of 121 arrestees in commandos' custody would face trial. Many locals come forward every day and provide information and tips that help lead to terrorists' hideouts and result in arrests, he added.