Iraqi military declares liberation of Fallujah from IS

Iraqi military on Sunday declared full liberation of Fallujah city from Islamic State (IS) militants after about a month of battles.

Iraqi troops entered Golan district in northwestern Fallujah which was the last area to be freed from IS militants in the city, Xinhua news agency quoted Lieutenant General Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi as saying.

Iraq's Joint Operations Command confirmed Fallujah was fully liberated and said the paramilitary units, known as Hashd Shaabi, were conducting clearance operations.

The operation to free the IS stronghold in Fallujah was launched on May 23, and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory against the group in the city on June 17 after the security forces recaptured the government compound in Fallujah, around 50 km west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.

Government troops and allied militias have currently been fighting for months to reclaim key cities and towns in Anbar province from IS militants, who attempted to approach Baghdad after seizing most of the province.

Iraq has witnessed intense violence since the IS controlled parts of its northern and western regions in June of 2014.

--IANS

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