FALLUJAH, Iraq, June 20, 2016 (Xinhua) -- An Iraqi army soldier shows signs of victory in Dhubbat district, northeast of Fallujah city, Iraq, June 19, 2016. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced substantial victory against the Islamic State (IS) militants in Fallujah in the western province of Anbar on June 17, the state-run Iraqiya TV reported. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)
BAGHDAD, June 26 (Xinhua) -- A senior Iraqi commander on Sunday declared full liberation of the city of Fallujah from Islamic State (IS) militants after about a month of battles against the extremist militants.
Iraqi troops entered Golan district in northwestern Fallujah, which was the last area to be freed from IS militants in the city, Lieutenant General Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi, Commander of Operations Command for Fallujah Liberation, said in a press release.
A statement from media office of Iraq's Joint Operations Command confirmed that Fallujah was fully liberated and said the paramilitary units, known as Hashd Shaabi, are conducting clearance operations to the newly-freed neighborhoods.
The operation to free the IS stronghold in Fallujah was launched on May 23, and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory against IS group in the city on June 17 after the security forces recaptured of the government compound in central the Fallujah, which located some 50 km west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.
Government troops and allied militias have currently been fighting for months to reclaim key cities and towns in Anbar province from IS militants, who attempted to approach Baghdad after seizing most of the province.
Iraq has witnessed intense violence since the IS controlled parts of its northern and western regions in June of 2014.
