"Today, God willing, is the completion of the first stage of the Hashd (Popular Mobilization) operations - that is cutting the supply route of the enemy between Tal Afar and the Muhalabiya district, reaching to Mosul," Hadi al-Amiri, the leader of the Badr Organization said, Reuters reported.
Tal Afar lies about 55 km (35 miles) west of Mosul, on the way to ISIL-held regions of neighboring Syria. Cutting off the western side of the city will leave the terrorist group enclosed on four axes.
The army, security forces and Kurdish Peshmarga forces have been advancing from the south, east and north of Mosul since launching an offensive to recapture the city on Oct. 17.