Iraq army foils Islamic State militants' attempt to flee to Syria

Iraqi forces have thwarted an attempt by around 200 Islamic State fighters to flee their bastion of Tal Afar towards Syria, west of the city of Mosul, a security spokesman said Monday. Forces from the Hashed Al Shaabi, a paramilitary organisation dominated by Shiite militia groups, said the Islamic State group used tanks in their bid to break out of Tal Afar. (AFP)