Over 16,000 Civilians Rescued by Iraqi Security Forces from ISIL’s Custody in Fallujah

“The security forces have released 16,600 citizens of Fallujah after purging the city of ISIL terrorists,” the Arabic-language media outlets quoted unnamed Iraqi security sources as saying on Sunday.

Fallujah, located some 42 miles west of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, is one of the largest cities in the Anbar province. ISIL was in control of the city from 2014 to 2016.

The Iraqi Army and its allies, including popular forces of Hashd al-Sha’abi launched the offensive to retake Fallujah on May 22.

On Sunday, Iraqi army commander of counterterrorism operation in Fallujah city Abdul-Wahad Saadi said that Iraq’s armed forces had “fully liberated” Fallujah.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi later raised the country’ national flag near the city hospital, urging Iraqi people to celebrate the victory and pledging to liberate Mosul, which is still overrun by militants.