Iraqi warplanes are bombarding the jihadist group Islamic State's positions in Tal Afar, in preparation for a ground assault on the town.
Tal Afar became the last IS stronghold in northern Iraq in July after the government declared victory in the city of Mosul, 55km (35 miles) to the east.
It is not known when the offensive will begin, but army, police and special forces units are heading to the town.
I suppose it could be a distraction in order to go after other areas first.
But mis-direction has not been a feature of Iraq War 2.0.
I fear that so much time is passing since the ISIL Mosul defeat that ISIL morale in Tal Afar will recover to put up a hard fight by the time the Iraqis finally assault the city.
