Tal Afar is one of the most important strongholds still held by ISIS militants

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The area concerned is the town of Tal Afar, 75km west of Mosul which was bravely liberated by US-backed Iraqi security forces.

A source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told local media: “IS leadership in Tal Afar declared in a brief statement that the town has become an independent state from the caliphate and threatened strict punishment against whoever violates orders.

“Tal Afar has been completely controlled by Arabs and foreigners with no local leaders in the wake of the mass executions that was carried out over the past few weeks.”