IRAQ

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Iraqi Forces Make Way Into Fallujah


It's been a bad week for ISIS. The militant group has held Fallujah since January 2014, but a week ago the Iraqi army announced a new push to retake the city. Today, special forces marched in, backed by Shia militias and air support from Iraq's military and a U.S.-led coalition. ISIS is reportedly trying to hold off the assault with suicide and car bombings, and the military forces have said they will likely pause before striking Fallujah's center to give the estimated 50,000 trapped civilians a chance to escape.

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   An Iraqi convoy moves in on Fallujah during the army's military offensive against ISIS.

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   Iraqi Forces Try to Retake Fallujah From ISIS

It's slow going. Iraq's efforts to expel extremists from the "city of mosques" have thus far left them at the outskirts. As of late this week, at least 130 Iraqi soldiers - a mix of Shiite units, military and police - had been killed, along with dozens of ISIS fighters. In a bid to attract local Sunni support, and heighten sectarian tensions, ISIS is spouting anti-Shiite slogans. Iraqis, meanwhile, say they've eased their push to regain the city center, hoping the 50,000 civilians reportedly trapped there will have a chance to flee.

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   Iraqi Forces Close in on Fallujah as ISIS Shoots Fleeing Civilians

The only way out is the river. As the Iraqi army, supported by a U.S.-led coalition, enters what may be the final phase of recapturing the ISIS stronghold, the estimated 50,000 civilians still trapped inside are trying to flee. Many are attempting to ford the Euphrates River, but humanitarian groups report that ISIS is targeting non-combatants. Meanwhile, camps housing 3,000 displaced families who managed to escape Fallujah in the last few weeks worry about resources dwindling as more refugees arrive.

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