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An Iraqi military commander says Iraqi forces have captured two neighborhoods from the Islamic State group in the militant-held northern town of Tal Afar.

Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Rasheed Yar Allah, who commands the operation, says that special forces have dislodged IS militants from al-Kifah al-Janoubi on the southwestern edge of the town.

He says federal police and paramilitary units took al-Kifah al-Shamali on the town's northwestern edge.

Wednesday's development comes just days after the push on Tal Afar was launched, a month after Iraq declared victory over IS in Mosul, the country's second largest city.

Tal Afar is located about 150 kilometers, or 93 miles, from Syria's border. It's among the last IS-held towns in Iraq, though the group still controls the towns of Hawija, Qaim, Rawa and Ana.