A commander of Hashd al-Shaabi, Sami Masoudi, said the elimination of the militant commander has caused a significant damage to the group in the strategic town of Tel Afar, West of Mosul, and his unit is now experiencing a bitter defeat, Basnews reported.

However, the official did not reveal the name of the ISIL commander.

Since the beginning of the Mosul operation on 17th October last year, the Hashd al-Shaabi forces have been leading the military operations in the areas of Western Mosul.

They have also been putting pressure on ISIL in the majority-Turkmen town of Tel Afar.