The allegations of sectarian clashes in Fallujah are on a much smaller scale than those that unfolded in Tikrit, another Sunni-majority city, after government-sanctioned Shiite militias helped retake it from the Islamic State.
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“Today the commander of Fallujah operations Lieutenant General Abdelwahab al-Saadi announced that the city of Fallujah had been cleared after counter-terrorism forces (CTS) took control of the Jolan neighborhood”, the force’s spokesman, Sabah al-Noman, told AFP.
The successful operation provides a major boost to the country’s security and political leadership in its fight against the extremists.
“I congratulate Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and the Iraqi people for their progress in freeing the city of Fallujah from the grip of ISIL”, he said in a written statement, using an alternate acronym for ISIS. This comes more than a week after Prime Minister declared victory in the city after the central of the city was taken by Iraq troops.
Dozens of homes were looted and burned as Fallujah was liberated from the Islamic State group, and Iraqi government forces Monday accused the retreating militants.
An unexploded mortar shell is seen half buried in the ground in Fallujah.
Al-Abadi, dressed in the black fatigues of the counterterrorism forces and carrying an Iraqi flag, visited Fallujah’s central hospital Sunday evening and called for residents of the city 40 miles west of Baghdad to celebrate the military advance. “This Iraqi flag is flying in Fallujah”, he said.
People have continued to flee Fallujah since military operations to retake the city from Daesh forces began in May.
After a gruelling month-long campaign, fighters rejoiced at the liberation of what was the first Iraqi city to fall out of government control two and half years ago.
“The operation in Fallujah has been a significant challenge for the ISF and for the coalition”, he said.
Special forces Cpl. Mohammad Hussein, stationed at a makeshift base in the city center, said his men arrested a half-dozen people who were caught looting. “But the large number of displaced people and the quick movement has made it very hard to meet their needs”.
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“We need a thorough de-mining of civilian areas and safety assessments before civilians are given the option to go back”, he said. The group, which swept across Syria and Iraq in the summer of 2014, declared an Islamic caliphate on that territory.
