Iraq calls 72-hour truce in Falujah

The Iraqi Defense Ministry has called a 72 hour ceasefire in the city of Fallujah in Iraq’s Anbar province. The cease fire came almost immediately after citizens of Fallujah called on the government to stop the violence in the area as civilians were getting caught in the cross-fire.
The Iraqi Defense Ministry also gave a stern warning to the ISIL telling them to be careful to not attempt to breach the ceasefire, saying that violating the ceasefire would receive a harsh response from the Iraqi army. The Iraqi army also called on Sunni tribesmen to attempt to push out the ISIL in the meantime. Violence has been raging on in Western parts of Iraq since December, when Al Qaeda-linked militants attempted to take over the cities of Fallujah and Ramadi in Anbar province. Since then, the violence has spread to several areas around the country. The Iraqi Defense Ministry also urged elders of Fallujah to try and keep calm and maintain stability in the area. The violence in Iraq’s Anbar province has displaced 300,000 people from their homes. Official data also indicates that over 1,500 people have died during Iraq’s war on terrorism in 2014.