Iraqi PM optimistic on liberation of Fallujah in near furture
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has hailed an ongoing military operation against Daesh Takfiri group in west of the country, saying Iraqi troops will soon seize full control of the town of Fallujah in the Anbar Province.
“God willing, the operations will end with the full liberation of Fallujah,” Abadi said Monday during a visit to a military command center, adding, “The enemy has started to collapse and our brave fighters are pounding Daesh hideouts continuously.”
Earlier in the day, Iraqi fighter jets carried out bombardments on positions of Daesh in central districts of Fallujah while troops approached the northern suburb of Garma. Residents said clashes first erupted in southern outskirts of Fallujah in al-Hayakil area.
“Big achievements have been made … it is going on successfully, thank God,” Abadi added.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iraqi premier regretted the fact that a surge in Daesh bomb attacks in and around the capital, Baghdad, as well as disputes between political factions have delayed the operation to retake Fallujah, the first major town Daesh captured in Iraq more than two years ago.
He said safety of citizens in Fallujah was another reason to delay the highly-anticipated offensive, saying Iraqi military has instructed citizens and civilians of Fallujah and other areas to go to safe corridors.
“We hope that they would be able to reach these corridors, but if they could not they can stay in their houses and stick to their houses,” Abadi said.
Daesh blitzed Fallujah, 50 km (30 miles) from Baghdad, in January 2014, months before the Takfiri terrorists seized control over Iraq’s second largest city of Mosul. Estimates show as many as 100,000 civilians, nearly a third of Fallujah’s pre-war population, are still in the city.
Recapturing the city would nearly complete Iraq’s anti-Daesh offensive in the Anbar Province as the military and allies prepare massive operations to push militants out of cities and villages in northern province of Nineveh.
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