Falluja
Iraq takes ‘last IS bastion in Falluja’
The Iraqi army says it has seized the last strongholds of the so-called Islamic State (IS) group in the city of Falluja. The head of the counterterrorism forces in the operation, Lt Gen Abdul-Wahad al-Saadi, said his troops had entered the northwestern Golan neighbourhood, the last area still under IS control. The city was...
IS conflict: Falluja ‘humanitarian disaster’ warning
A humanitarian disaster is unfolding in Falluja following a civilian exodus from the Iraqi city, aid workers warn. Some 80,000 people have fled during a four-week government offensive to drive back so-called Islamic State fighters, says the UN. A further 25,000 civilians are likely on the move, the organisation adds. Aid...
IS conflict: Iraqi forces ‘retake most’ of Falluja
Iraqi government forces have retaken most of the city of Falluja from so-called Islamic State fighters who have held it since 2014, officials say. US Defence Secretary Ash Carter said there was "still some fighting to be done" as IS still controls a significant part of the city. But Iraq's prime minister hailed...
The fight for Falluja: Human shields and 20,000 children trapped
ISIS-held Falluja is surrounded by Iraqi-forces, which are expected to storm the city soon. An estimated 50,000 people — 20,000 of whom are children, the U.N. says — are trapped in the city. There are reports that hundreds of families are being used by ISIS as human shields in the center of Falluja; that men and...
IS hits back as army moves into Falluja
Militants from the so-called Islamic State have launched a dawn counter-attack as Iraqi government troops push into the city of Falluja. A day after troops advanced through the southern suburb of Nuaimiya, scores of IS fighters attacked them, army officers told news agencies. The army defeated the attackers but suffered...
Islamic State: Iraqi army makes gains in Falluja offensive
Iraqi government forces have made gains in their offensive to drive Islamic State militants from Falluja — one the country's two major cities in IS hands. The nearby town of Karma, the first line of IS defence, is now in the army's hands, a BBC correspondent says. Large numbers of elite combat troops have also...
Falluja assault: Iraq PM announces beginning of military operation
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has announced the start of a military operation to retake Falluja from so-called Islamic State (IS). "Zero hour for the liberation of Falluja has arrived. The moment of great victory has drawn near," he said, adding IS had "no choice but to flee." Iraq's military has...