(mna) -- In a message issued on Sunday, Amir-Abdollahian hailed the liberation of Tal Afar located 80km west of Mosul.

"Congratulations on the victory of the people, the authorities, the government, the armed forces, and the high-profile Iraqi forces in the liberation of Tal Afar,” the message reads.

The offensive on Tal Afar, which lies on the supply route between Syria and the former Isis group stronghold of Mosul, began on August 20.

Iraqi troops on Saturday raised the Iraqi flag on top of the citadel building in the city; only a few neighborhoods in Tal Afar were still being controlled by Isis.