Shi'ite fighters fire a rocket towards Islamic State militants during a battle with Islamic State militants at the airport of Tal Afar west of Mosul, Iraq November 18, 2016. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Reuters: Iraq readies force to storm flashpoint town near Mosul
Iraq is readying a special force tasked with storming Tal Afar, a bastion of Islamic State west of Mosul, in a way that would avoid revenge killings against the town's Sunni population.
Capturing or isolating Tal Afar from Mosul is a key part of the U.S-backed offensive to take back Islamic State's last major city stronghold in Iraq, by allowing the ground forces taking part in the campaign to complete Mosul's encirclement.
The army and police forces planning to storm Tal Afar will include Sunni and Shi'ite Turkmens, reflecting the main mix of the town's population, said Hisham al-Hashimi, a Baghdad-based analyst who advises the government on Islamic State affairs.
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MIDDLE EAST
Iraqi civilians stick it out in Mosul as fighting rages.
Iraq's Najaf cemetery swells as fight against IS escalates.
UN Syria envoy: Eastern Aleppo could be 'gone by Christmas'. Syria's war: Aleppo residents '10 days from starvation'.
Erdogan, Putin discuss Syria as Turkish-backed rebels push to al-Bab.
Turkish warplanes strike Islamic State targets in Syria's al-Bab: military.
Scores killed in Iran train collision.
Erdogan threatens to open borders after European Parliament vote. Turkey threatens EU with new refugee surge.
Israeli firefighters 'gaining control' of forest fires that threatened Haifa. Israel arrests 13 on suspicion of arson over mass wildfires.
ASIA
UNHCR in Bangladesh accuses Myanmar troops of killings, rape, arson in Rohingya communities.
Japan PM says Russian missile deployment on disputed isles 'regrettable'.
South Korean President Park's approval rating sinks to new low.
Japan prepares for NUCLEAR war with North Korea by warning citizens to shelter in underground shopping malls in event of Kim Jong-Un bomb attack.
Trump will pursue 'regional hegemony' in South China Sea: Chinese academics.
Beijing warns against Taiwan ties as Singapore tries to free troop carriers in Hong Kong.
Afghanistan objects to Pakistani flag ceremony at border .
AFRICA
Egypt official raises death toll in Sinai attack to 11.
Libyan forces edge forward against Islamic State holdouts in Sirte.
Starvation threat numbers soar in South Sudan.
Tens of thousands of children at risk of starvation in Nigeria crisis.
Madagascar drought: 330,000 people 'one step from famine', UN warns .
Somalia: Elders negotiate with al-Shabab over soldiers.
Somalia elections: 'Huge corruption'.
EUROPE
European leaders call for urgent arms talks with Russia.
Ukraine says it's ready to resume gas purchases from Russia.
Ukraine ex-president Yanukovych speaks to court via video.
Incoming EU president Malta signals tough Brexit talks with UK. EU leaders 'not bluffing' over Brexit terms, warns Malta's PM.
Woman & child killed in gas blast at Greek refugee camp, prompting clashes with police (VIDEO).
Suspect at large after murder at retirement home for French missionaries.
France says au revoir to top earners.
In Putin’s Russia, it just got easier to find the perpetrators of Stalin’s purges.
AMERICAS
Trump’s media feud enters new era.
Jill Stein raises over $4.5m to request US election recounts in battleground states.
Second try: Colombia, FARC sign new peace deal that is going straight to Congress.
Colombia rebel leader hopes Trump will back peace effort.
Trudeau government faces 'cash-for-access' criticism.
Michel Temer minister resigns over Brazil corruption.
Venezuela narcotics scandal heaps pressure on President Maduro.
32 bodies found in clandestine graves in southern Mexico.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
French terror suspects 'were planning attack on Paris'.
Islamic State: Australian fighter Neil Prakash alive, arrested in Middle East, counter-terrorism officials confirm.
Russian National Guard chief warns terrorist threat still high worldwide.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Oil falls 2 percent on OPEC cut uncertainty ahead of meeting.
Apple in line of fire if trade wars start.
Reddit CEO admits modifying Donald Trump supporters' posts.
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