Iraqi Forces Control Strategic Area near Falluja, Abadi Says Liberation Soon

Two army squads, backed by volunteer fighters known as Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) liberated Albu Shejel in al-Saqlawiyah area to the north of Falluja, PMF media quoted a military source as saying on Wednesday.

The source said that the allied forces killed 30 ISIL terrorists, including five suicide bombers.

Albu Shejel is considered a strategic area since it links between al-Saqlawiyah and Falluja center, Iraqi media reported.

The allied forces launched last week a wide-scale operation to liberate Falluja, an ISIL-held area in Ramadi, in al-Anbar governorate.

For his part, PM Haider al-Abadi expected that the operation would end soon.
During a meeting with military commanders in the Iraqi army and PMF, Abadi said the liberation of Falluja will be achieved soon and “with less losses,” according to Iraqi media.