"In coordination with Barzani, Turkey is trying to take part in Tal Afar military operation in order to achieve its specific goals in Nineveh in addition to helping senior ISIS commanders to escape Tal Afar," al-Assadi told FNA on Monday.
He said by supporting Barzani, who also leads the Iraqi Kurdistan Democrat Party, Turkey is seeking to achieve its specific goals, including helping ISIS commanders to flee Nineveh province.
Al-Assadi said that after the Iraqi Hezbollah announced that it has prevented a Turkish airplane from assisting the terrorists flee Tal Afar, the Iraqi volunteer forces command headquarters has ordered troops to target and shoot down foreign airplanes flying over Tal Afar.
"Turkish airplanes have not attacked the ISIS military positions in Iraq yet, but they are regularly flying over Tal Afar and it is quite evident that in coordination with Barzani, Turkey is trying to implement its plots in Nineveh province," he added.
Al-Assadi said according to intelligence, Turkey sought a role in Tal Afar military operation because of the presence of senior ISIS commanders who are linked to Turkey.
Earlier on Monday, the Iraqi volunteer forces managed to cut a strategic supply route of the ISIS terrorists in Tal Afar.
"The Iraqi volunteer forces have blocked most of the supply roads to the ISIS in Tal Afar and have prepared a strategic plan for attacking the center of the city," Hashd al-Shaabi Security Spokesman Yousef al-Kalabi told FNA.
He, meantime, pointed to Hashd al-Shaabi's capture of Tal Afar airbase, and said, "The Iraqi volunteer forces struck a heavy blow at the ISIS by seizing control over Tal Afar airport in an area of 16 to 18 square kilometers in a several-hour-long battle," al-Kalabi added, FNA reported.
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