Iraq: Iraq launching offensive against Islamic State (IS) group to retake Fallujah
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has announced the launching of an offensive to retake the city of Fallujah after the military told residents yesterday to get ready to leave before fighting started.
The city is a stronghold of the self-proclaimed Islamic State group.
“Zero hour for the liberation of Fallujah has arrived. The moment of great victory has drawn near and Daesh has no choice but to flee,” Mr Abadi said on his official Twitter feed, using an Arabic acronym for the jihadist group.
He said the offensive would be conducted by the army, police, counterterrorism forces, local tribal fighters and a coalition of mostly Shia Muslim militias.