Iraqi Forces Enter Fallujah

On Monday, June 1, the Iraqi army launched an offensive to storm the city of Fallujah in order to liberate it from the control of Islamic State militants, with air support from the U.S.-led international coalition. Over the past five days, Iraqi forces have retaken areas surrounding Fallujah from ISIS. According to Reuters, police and medical sources reported that simultaneous with the start of the new phase of the Fallujah operation, three explosions occurred in Baghdad, leaving at least 24 dead and 50 wounded. The Fallujah operation began on May 24, during which the Iraqi army, supported by Shiite militias known as Hashd al-Shaabi and Sunni tribal volunteer fighters, intensified the siege of the city located 50 kilometers west of Baghdad. Fallujah was the first major city in Iraq to fall to ISIS militants two years ago. A few months later, the group's militants launched a widespread attack, capturing vast areas of northern Iraq. They declared the establishment of an 'Islamic Caliphate' in the territories they controlled in Iraq and Syria. In a military statement broadcast on Iraq's official television on Monday morning, it was stated: 'Army units have moved towards the southern entrance of Fallujah and are making continuous progress with air support from the U.S.-led coalition.' Reuters reported that sounds of explosions and heavy gunfire were heard in the al-Naimiya neighborhood south of Fallujah. Meanwhile, Yahya al-Zubaidi, spokesman for the Joint Operations Command of the Iraqi army, stated in an interview with Al-Hadath TV that rapid reaction forces of the Iraqi army successfully regained control of the police station in the al-Naimiya neighborhood from Islamic State militants. He added that counter-terrorism units took control of several buildings in the southern part of the city. Al-Zubaidi continued that police forces and Hashd al-Shaabi militants also moved from the north of Fallujah towards the al-Safrawiya area. Previously, Sabah Naaman, spokesman for the Iraqi army's counter-terrorism unit, told AFP: 'We began entering the city of Fallujah from the early hours of the morning.' He stated that Iraqi forces launched their advance towards the city center from three axes and reported 'resistance' from Islamic State militants in the city. The participation of the Iraqi army's counter-terrorism unit in the Fallujah battle signifies the beginning of a new phase of street fighting in the city. About 12 years ago, U.S. forces fought in this very city against al-Qaeda-affiliated militants. Concurrently with the announcement of the Iraqi army's operation to enter Fallujah, Islamic State militants attacked the Hit area in the western Anbar province. Iraqi military sources say this attack was repelled, and in the ensuing clashes, dozens of attacking militants were killed. Meanwhile, the Amaq news agency, affiliated with the Islamic State group, claimed that its militants managed to kill about 70 Iraqi army and Hashd al-Shaabi fighters during their operations last night and this morning. The presence of over 50,000 civilians in the city has raised concerns among human rights organizations and observers. Previously, in addition to the United Nations, Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the highest Shiite authority in Iraq, emphasized the necessity of protecting civilian lives in the city. Raje Barakat, a member of the Anbar provincial council, stated that Iraqi forces are trying to create a safe corridor for civilians to exit the city towards the Fallujah dam area.