Fierce battles continue against IS in Iraq's Anbar province

Iraqi security forces on Sunday continued fierce clashes to drive out Islamic State (IS) militants from their stronghold in the city of Fallujah, while battles erupted in the day in north of the provincial capital city of Ramadi, security sources said.

In Fallujah, some 50 km west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, the troops continued heavy clashes with dozens of IS militants in some districts in the northern part of the city, and the troops managed to recapture parts of Dhubbat district and Jamhoriyah, while battles still underway in other northern districts, including Mu'almin and Golan, a provincial security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The troops made substantial progress two days ago when they freed the government compound and raised the Iraqi flag on its main building in the central part of Fallujah, after they pushed into the districts of Nazal, Jubail and Resala, in addition to the industrial area in the southern part of the city.

Late on Friday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared substantial victory against IS group in Fallujah after the recapture of the government compound.

"Our troops have fulfilled their promise and freed the city of Fallujah," Abadi addressed the nation on the state-run Iraqiya television.

"Fallujah has returned to the homeland and our forces took control of the heart of the city," Abadi said.

Nasir Nuri, spokesman of the Iraqi Defense Ministry told local media that "Fallujah will be freed completely within days, depending on the resistance of the remaining pockets and the number of roadside bombs and booby-trapped buildings."

Also in Anbar province, the security forces backed by the U.S.-led coalition aircraft carried out an operation against IS positions in the areas of Albu Risha and Tway in north of Ramadi, some 110 km west of Baghdad, Lieutenant General Hadi Erzaiyj, Anbar's provincial police chief, said in a press release.

"So far, the battles in north of Ramadi resulted in the killing of 17 militants and the destroying of three IS vehicles," Erzaiyj said.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Ismail al-Mahalawi, Commander of Anbar Operations Command, escaped unharmed a bomb attack when three roadside bombs and a mortar barrage struck his convoy while moving in Zankoura area in northwest of Ramadi, leaving five of his guards wounded.

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