Tal Afar, Iraq, Sept 14, SPA -- U.S. and Iraqi forces allowedcivilians to return to Tal Afar on Tuesday, signaling anend to the siege of the northern city. Civilian cars crossed the checkpoint on the outskirts ofthe city and troops searched others wishing to return,according to an Associated Press reporter watching theevent unfold. American troops and Iraqi forces overran Tal Afar onSunday _ one of several Iraqi cities they say had falleninto the hands of insurgents _ after a nearly two-weeksiege that forced scores of residents to flee and left atrail of devastated buildings and rubble. U.S. commanders said they moved in on Tal Afar at thebehest of regional officials who lost control of the city. Turkmen officials have said that 58 people were killedduring a 12-day assault by U.S. and Iraqi governmentforces. Turkmen residents who fled the city to nearby Mosulspoke of bodies lying under the hot sun and wreckedbuildings.--SPA1451 Local Time 1151 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/201470