Roundup: Iraqi forces launch offensive to free Fallujah from IS militants

Iraqi security forces battled the Islamic State (IS) militants Monday in the western province of Anbar, aiming to retake Fallujah city, one of the last two strongholds of the militant group.

Security forces, together with Shiite and Sunni paramilitary units, known as Hashd Shaabi, initiated the attacks in early morning against Fallujah and neighboring IS-held small towns, supported by artillery and rockets, a provincial security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The heavy bombardment against Fallujah which has been controlled by IS for two years left at least 16 militants dead, the source said, adding that at least three civilians died and eight others were wounded.

Under cover of the U.S.-led coalition and Iraqi air forces' airstrikes, troops advanced toward the edges of Fallujah, 50 km west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, as well as the nearby small towns of Garma and Saqlawiyah, the source said.

The troops managed to recapture several villages on main roads around Fallujah, Garma and Saqlawiyah but were unsuccessful in seizing parts of the towns as they met fierce resistance from the militants, the source added.

"The troops seized the abandoned buildings of the main checkpoint site in eastern Fallujah after they retook control of a hospital building outside the city," the source said.

"Security forces also seized parts of the suburb of Ne'imiyah in southern Fallujah and heavy clashes are still ongoing," the source said.

At least 13 IS militants were killed during the clashes near the town of Garma, some 10 km northeast of Fallujah.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced Monday the launch of the offensive to claim Fallujah, during a time in which the country is struggling in a police chaos to reshuffle the cabinet.

"The offensive aiming to free Fallujah has begun. Fallujah's liberation alarm has rung, and the great victory is approaching, when IS militants will have no option except to flee," Abadi said whilst addressing the nation on the state-run Iraqiya television channel.

"Fallujah will return to Iraqis similar to the hundreds of villages and towns which were returned to its people and were liberated from the IS's oppression and treachery," Abadi said.

He vowed that all the displaced in IS-controlled towns and villages will return to their homes.

Hours following the start of the offensive, Abadi, also Commander-in-Chief of Iraqi forces, visited Fallujah Operation Command and met with commanders.

He hailed the "substantial achievements" of the troops during the operation.

The military operation was scheduled to start over two months ago, but was delayed due to political struggles and the deteriorating security situation in Baghdad, he added.

The army announced that it launched its military operation to reclaim the northern city of Mosul in March, the second largest city in the country, but this operation was also delayed due to chaos in the capital.

Brigadier General Yahya Rasoul told local media that intelligence reports indicate that about 400 to 600 militants are in Fallujah, many of them foreigners.

He said about 50,000 to 70,000 civilians are expected to remain in Fallujah.

On Sunday, security forces informed the remaining residents in Fallujah to prepare leaving the town through safe corridors which will be later revealed.

"We ask all citizens still in Fallujah to prepare to leave the city through safe corridors which will be declared later," the statement said.

It also called on residents to raise white flags at their homes, and to stay away from IS militant headquarters and posts, as they will be targeted by airstrikes.

During the past few months, security forces and allied Hashd Shaabi units carried out operations around Fallujah so as to tighten the troops' grip on the besieged city and nearby small towns in order to free them from IS militants.

Iraqi security forces had previously announced the existence of safe corridors to facilitate the movement of civilians from the city, which has been under continuous shelling and airstrikes by security forces, however extremist militants prevented people from leaving their residences in the city.

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