Iraqi PM Says to Declare Victory in Falluja After Rapid Advances

Falluja, only 50km (30 miles) west of Baghdad, has been held by IS longer than any other city in Iraq or Syria.

Lt Gen Abdul Wahhab al-Saadi told the BBC that elite Counter Terrorism Force troops and rapid response forces had “liberated” the city council building. “The liberation of the government compound, which is the main landmark in the city, symbolises the restoration of the state’s authority [in Falluja]”, he said. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Iraqi forces had taken back a portion of the city, although he added: “There’s still some fighting to be done”.

“Iraq’s federal forces continue to hunt the remnants of ISIS militants in the city center”, head of the Iraqi Federal Police, Raid Jawdat, was quoted Friday on the official page.

“This operation was done with little resistance from Daesh”, Saadi said, using the Arabic acronym for Isis.

Witnesses say the group announced via loudspeakers that residents could leave if they wished.

“Security forces have tightened their control inside the city and there are still some pockets that need to be cleansed in the coming hours”, – Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

Tens of thousands of civilians have been forced from their homes since the start of the operation last month.

They earlier reportedly recaptured the Industrial District in the city’s east.

Earlier the ISIS had allowed civilians trapped in central Falluja.

The sudden exodus has overwhelmed displacement camps in the vicinity.

The NRC has warned its supplies of emergency aid for the displaced are running low. There were an estimated 50,000 people in the city when the operation was launched, but it is unclear how many remain.

With DAESH on the retreat, many civilians manage to run away but danger remains on their journey where in many cases civilians are killed or injured by explosions or roadside bombs.