Iraqi forces have surrounded Fallujah and completed the first phase of their assault to retake the city from the Islamic State armed group, officials have told Al Jazeera.
Hundreds of people fled the besieged city about 60km west of the capital, Baghdad, on Friday amid rapidly deteriorating humanitarian conditions as fighting between Iraqi forces and ISIL fighters intensified.
Iraqi army promises victory in Fallujah ‘next week’ Brigadier Rasool Yahya said that Phase one is over and they have achieved their objectives.
Security forces have safely evacuated many residents away from the outskirts of the city – but some 50,000 people are still trapped inside.