A senior military figure has announced the liberation of former ISIS stronghold, Falluja. On 26 June, Lieutenant General Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi, head of the counter-terrorism forces in the operation, revealed that troops had entered the Golan neighbourhood in the north-west of the city, ending ISIS’ control of Falluja. Last week saw Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi similarly hail the recapture of Falluja, a claim that proved premature. Al-Saadi argued that the city was now “fully liberated” and said that 30% of the city had been destroyed in the operation. This contrasted with the comments of Mosul’s defence minister, Khaled al-Obaidi, who said that 90% of the city is habitable. The military’s attention is now expected to shift to Iraq, the country’s other main city that remains under ISIS’ control.
A senior military figure has announced the liberation of former ISIS stronghold, Falluja. On 26 June, Lieutenant General Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi, head of the counter-terrorism forces in the operation, revealed that troops had entered the Golan neighbourhood in the north-west of the city, ending ISIS’ control of Falluja. Last week saw Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi similarly hail the recapture of Falluja, a claim that proved premature. Al-Saadi argued that the city was now “fully liberated” and said that 30% of the city had been destroyed in the operation. This contrasted with the comments of Iraq’s defence minister, Khaled al-Obaidi, who said that 90% of the city is habitable. The military’s attention is now expected to shift to Mosul, the country’s other main city that remains under ISIS’ control.