Iraqi forces were in control of large areas of Tel Afar in their offensive to dislodge Daesh militants from their last stronghold in the country, according to an Iraqi military source.

The Jordan News Agency, Petra, quoted the Commander of the Joint Operations Command, Brigadier Yahya Rasoul, as saying that about 90 percent of the Tal Afar district centre in the Nineveh Province is in Iraqi hands.

He told Petra's reporter in Baghdad that the Daesh terror group still controlled several neighbourhoods of the town, and predicted that the battle for Tel Afar, which began a week ago, will be settled soon.

Rasoul said about 40,000 people have fled the town and headed to refugee camps.