Civilians Allowed to Return to Tal Afar

[Barrett808]

Civilians Allowed to Return to Tal Afar
Tue Sep 14, 1:18 PM ET
By SCHEHEREZADE FARAMARZI, Associated Press Writer

TAL AFAR, Iraq - U.S. and Iraqi forces allowed civilians to return to Tal Afar on Tuesday, signaling an end to a siege of the northern city that killed dozens of people and angered U.S. ally Turkey.

The lifting of the siege came a day after Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul warned American officials that Ankara would stop cooperating in Iraq if U.S. forces continued to harm the Turkish minority in the country's north. Tal Afar is a center for Iraq's ethnic Turkmen.

Civilian cars crossed the checkpoint on Tal Afar's outskirts Tuesday and troops searched others wishing to return. Police vans patrolled the streets as people cautiously moved back into town.

"Everyone can go in," Iraqi Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Barhawy said. "We expect one-third to go in today and by the time they hear about it and get together they will probably go in tomorrow."

No U.S. troops were visible in Tal Afar on Tuesday, and al-Barhawy said American forces had left Iraqis in charge of security.

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