Commander in Iraq's Shia militia Hadi Amiri said that the number of Daesh militants in Tal Afar, surrounded by Iraqi forces, does not exceed 2,000 people with a half of them being foreign nationals.

The number of militants of the Islamic State terrorist group (Daesh) in Tal Afar, surrounded by Iraqi forces, does not exceed 2,000 people with a half of them being foreign nationals, commander in Iraq's Shia militia (Hashd Shaabi) Hadi Amiri said Monday.

Tal Afar is the last major stronghold of Daesh militants on the border of Iraq with Syria.

"The data about the number of Daesh militants in Tal Afar differs — from 1,600 to 2,000 terrorists. A half of them are foreigners," the commander told the Al Sumaria broadcaster.

Earlier in the day, Iraqi armed forces and militias liberated five villages close to the town, gained control over a tunnel network dug by Daesh and killed over 20 militants, including foreign nationals.

On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi announced the beginning of the military offensive aimed at retaking Tal Afar, which is located 30 miles away from recently liberated Mosul.

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