U.S. defense chief hails Iraq's liberation of Fallujah

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Monday congratulated Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on freeing the city of Fallujah from the terror group Islamic State (IS).

"The United States military and our coalition partners are proud to have supported the Iraqi Security Forces under the prime minister's command in this important operation," Carter said in a statement issued by the Pentagon.

Carter called the operation "another milestone" in the joint efforts to accelerate IS's defeat.

The operation in Fallujah was a significant challenge for the Iraqi security forces and for the multinational coalition, but it won't be the last, Carter said.

Hard fighting remains ahead, as does the vital task of caring for the residents of Fallujah displaced by IS's violence and beginning to rebuild the city so that its people may safely return, Carter said.

He added that it's also essential to complete the investigations launched by the Iraqi government "to address alleged abuses of civilians."

Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis told reporters Monday that the coalition continues to provide support through strikes, intelligence, advice and assistance to Iraqi government fighters operating in Fallujah and will continue to do so as they began clearing operations.

Since the ground operation began on May 21, the coalition forces have conducted more than 100 airstrikes in support of Iraqi government forces to liberate the city of Fallujah, which is the closest IS-held territory to the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad, Davis said. Endit