The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has captured the strategic town of Tal Afar, Associated Press reports.
Tal Afar, located just 420 kilometers northwest of Baghdad, is predominately populated by ethnic Shiite and Sunni Turkmen.
Residents confirmed the ISIL takeover, according to AP.
This advance by ISIL jihadists comes after the fall of Mosul and Tikrit. The group reportedly now has their eyes on capturing Iraq’s capital, Baghdad.