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Iraqi forces tighten siege around IS stronghold in Fallujah

Xinhua, May 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

Iraqi security forces on Wednesday extended control on areas around the IS-held city of Fallujah in the province of Anbar, at the third day of an offensive aimed at flushing out the extremist militants from the city, a provincial security source said.

Security forces, together with Shiite and Sunni paramilitary units, known as Hashd Shaabi, made a significant progress in west of Fallujah, some 50 km west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, when the troops backed by Iraqi aircraft cleared the vast areas of Albu Bali and Albu Ubied after heavy clashes with IS militants, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The battles in west of Fallujah left at least 17IS militants killed and destroyed five of their vehicles, while four security members were killed, the source said.

Meanwhile, the security forces took control of Sajar area, some 10 km north of Fallujah, after fierce clashes with IS militants and raised the Iraqi flag over its police station and a government building, the source without giving further details about casualties.

Also in the day, the troops recaptured the areas of Albu Eifan, Albu Hawa and al-Hesi in south of Fallujah on the western bank of Euphrates River after heavy clashes with the IS militants, the source said, adding that the commander of Sunni paramilitary unit from volunteers was killed in the battle.

Munir Sari al-Eifan, commander of Fallujah Hawks battalion, was killed by an IS sniper shot during the battles in south of Fallujah, the source added.

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

After initial shelling on Fallujah and IS positions in other areas in the early morning hours of Monday, the troops covered by U.S.-led coalition and Iraqi aircrafts advanced toward the edges of Fallujah as well as the nearby small towns of Garma and Saqlawiyah.

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.

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