Battle for Fallujah ‘is done and the city is fully liberated’

Iraqi troops pass under bridge that is emblazoned with flag of ISIL in the northwestern Golan district of Fallujah. An Iraqi commander says ISIL has been driven out of Fallujah after a month-long miliShow more

BAGHDAD // A senior Iraqi commander declared that the city of Fallujah was “fully liberated” from IISIL militants on Sunday, after a more than month-long military operation.

Iraqi troops have entered the northwestern Al Julan neighbourhood, the last area of Fallujah to remain under ISIL control, the head of the counterterrorism forces in the operation, Lt Gen Abdul Wahab Al Saadi, said.

Lt Gen Al Saadi said the operation, which began in late May, “is done and the city is fully liberated.” The Iraqi army was backed by US-led coalition airstrikes and paramilitary troops, mostly Shiite militias.

“From the center of Al Julan neighborhood, we congratulate the Iraqi people and the commander in chief ... and declare that the Fallujah fight is over,” he told Iraqi state TV, flanked by military officers and soldiers. Some of the soldiers were shooting in the air, chanting and waving the Iraqi flag.

He added that troops will start working on removing bombs from the city’s streets and buildings.

The announcement comes more than a week after Iraqi prime minister Haider Al Abadi declared victory in Fallujah after Iraqi forces advanced into the city centre and took control of a government complex.

While Lt Gen Al Abadi pledged the remaining pockets of ISIL fighters would be cleared out within hours, fierce clashes on the city’s northern and western edges persisted for days.

The operation has fuelled an exodus of thousands of families, overwhelming camps for the displaced run by the government and aid groups.

According to the UN Refugee Agency, more than 85,000 people have fled Fallujah and the surrounding area since the offensive began.

* Associated Press