Iraqi forces launched a fierce assault yesterday to retake areas near the militant-held city of Fallujah in preparation for an eventual assault, a senior officer said, as violence killed 11 people.
Anti-government fighters have held Fallujah, just a short drive from Baghdad since the start of this year.
“A military operation was launched… to eliminate the ISIL organisation and liberate Fallujah,” a senior army officer said, referring to powerful group the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
“The operation will continue until an assault on Fallujah town itself,” the officer said.
But such an assault is unlikely to occur soon, as security forces have struggled all year to retake territory in Anbar from militants.
And they would face major challenges in actually assaulting Fallujah, an operation that would likely cause massive damage to the city and carry significant risks of civilian casualties.
