BAGHDAD, Sep. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- Iraqi defense minister Sadoun al-Dulaimi said Saturday that 141 insurgents had been killed and 197 others captured by Iraqi and US forces over the past two days in a major offensive to rid the northern town of Tal Afar of terrorists.

   Dulaimi told a news conference that similar offensives would be imminent in other Iraqi cities.

A US solider runs for cover during fierce clashes in Tal Afar. (AFP)

   "We tell our people in Ramadi, Samarra, Rawa and Qaim that we are coming. There would be no refuge for the terrorists," Dulaimi said.

   Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said during the news conference that "we will hit with iron fist to get rid of the saboteur groups and restore the security and stability to Tal Afar."

   "Insurgents wanted to isolate Tal Afar from the political process as we are preparing for the referendum on the draft constitution, so our duty is to protect the country and the people and exert every effort to help all Iraqi people regardless of their backgrounds," he said.

A burnt Iraqi police car is seen at a highway following clashes between policemen and armed men in Baghdad. (AFP)

   Earlier Jaafari said he gave orders to Iraqi forces to launch an all-out offensive against insurgents in Tall Afar.

   "At 2:00 a.m. today (2200 GMT Friday), acting on my orders, Iraqi forces commenced an operation to remove all remaining terrorist elements from the city of Tal Afar," Jaafari said in a statement.

   "These forces are operating with support from the Multinational Force," he added.

   Tal Afar has been a stronghold for foreign fighters and insurgents against the US and Iraqi government forces.

   The ethnic Turkmen account for 90 percent of residents in Tal Afar, some 420 km north of Baghdad, and about 70 percent of them are Sunnis. Enditem