"Iraqi forces continued their advance into the Islamic State bastion of Fallujah on retaking two of the city's districts from militants. A military statement said counter-terrorism forces had captured the northeastern Shurta district, while forces from Baghdad's central operations command took the Askari district."
Meanwhile, intense fighting continued in the northern Fallujah Jolan neighbourhood as Iraqi and tribal forces came against stiff resistance from ISIS militants holed up in the city's northern edge.
"Iraqi forces this afternoon tried to storm the northern Jolan neighbourhood, but faced fierce retaliation from Daesh terrorists, who used IEDs, rockets and mortar rounds," a local tribal source told The New Arab.
Lt. Gen. Abdul Wahhab al-Saadi, the head of the Iraqi army's operations in Fallujah, said in televised comments that capturing Jolan would be difficult since ISIS militants who have been dislodged from others parts of the city have holed up in the neighbourhood and fortified their positions.
Meanwhile, Iraqi commanders on the ground say their forces continue to make progress and have killed hundreds of militants.
Iraqi forces advance on west Fallujah
Iraqi forces fighting Islamic State militants in Fallujah say they are advancing towards terrorists strongholds in western districts of the city. The Iraqi commander said they expect this to be the final push to recapture the city
The operation to recapture Fallujah from ISIL is now in its fifth week. More than 85,000 residents have fled to government-run camps that have been overwhelmed by the numbers.
Also FNA pictures Show Iraqi Police Patrolling in Central Fallujah
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