Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi posted on Twitter earlier today that the Iraqi flag is flying high once again in the Nineveh province:
Our brave Armed Forces have liberated Tal Afar and the Iraqi flag is once again flying high in Nineveh province
— Haider Al-Abadi حيدر العبادي (@HaiderAlAbadi) August 31, 2017
ISIS took control over much of the ancient Christian province beginning in 2014, unleashing a reign of terror that shocked the globe with a level of depravity the world has never seen before. Millions of Iraqis were forced to flee, thousands were senselessly slaughtered, and countless were held captive and raped, tortured or otherwise tormented.
Al-Abadi went on to salute those who perished in the fight, and the families who sacrificed so much in the process.
Lt. General Stephen Townsend, commander of the U.S. coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, commented on the victory. According to The National:
“Following their historic liberation of Mosul and now a swift and decisive victory in Tal Afar, the ISF have shown, once again, they are an increasingly capable force that can protect the Iraqi people, defeat ISIS within Iraq and secure the country’s borders.”
It’s been a long time coming and many people around the globe have been praying for these long suffering people. Praise God for this victory, and prayers as they move forward rebuilding and healing.