Iraqi forces free government compound in central IS stronghold in Fallujah

Iraqi security forces on Friday took control of the government compound in the Islamic State (IS)-held city of Fallujah in the country's western province of Anbar, after days of battles against IS militants inside the southern part of the city, security sources said.

"The troops managed in the morning to free the government compound and raised the Iraqi flag on its main building in the central part of Fallujah," Raid Shakir Jawdat, the Commander of the Federal Police, said in a press release.

The recapture of the government compound came after the troops freed the districts of Nazal, Jubail and Resala, in addition to the industrial area in the southern part of the city, some 50 km west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, a security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The latest advance is the result of fierce clashes during the past few days, which forced many of the extremist militants to flee the city, the source said.

The battles continued in the day to free northern district of the city with some IS militants still fighting in some areas, the source added.

The liberation of the southern part of the city enabled more than 30,000 people who were trapped by the battles to leave their homes to safer areas outside the city, he said.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced on May 23 the launch of a major offensive to claim Fallujah and surrounding towns and areas.

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 toward Baghdad after seizing most of Anbar province.

Iraq has been witnessing a wave of violence since the IS controlled parts of its northern and western regions in June 2014. Endit