US, Iraq pressure "rebel" town of Tal Afar

"TAL AFAR, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. and Iraqi forces heaped pressure on suspected insurgents in the town of Tal Afar on Friday, as Iraq's prime minister vowed to restore order a day after the U.S. military threatened an all-out attack.

In Washington, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani warned against an early withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq but said troops can be reduced gradually over the next two years.

Tal Afar, a northern Iraqi town whose population is mostly ethnic Turkmen, is seen by the United States as a stronghold of rebellion. U.S. and Iraqi troops have been battling insurgents there for several days and said they had killed 7 on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari said the Iraqi government was heeding calls for help by Tal Afar residents and local tribes.

"We are taking additional measures to ensure security and stability in Tal Afar and to restore its people's rights," Jaafari said in a statement."
Reuters