Iraqi Forces Enter Fallujah for 1st Time in 2 Years - US Presidential Envoy

The Iraqi Army and Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) have entered the city of Fallujah for the first time since it was captured by Daesh, US Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL Brett McGurk said Monday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – He added that US-led coalition jets were providing air cover for Iraqi units reporting through the chain of command to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi.

"For first time in over 2 years, Iraqi CTS & Army units have entered the city of #Fallujah to free its citizens from #ISIL terrorists," McGurk wrote on Twitter.

For first time in over 2 years, Iraqi CTS & Army units have entered the city of #Fallujah to free its citizens from #ISIL terrorists. #داعش

— Brett McGurk (@brett_mcgurk) 30 мая 2016 г.

​The Iraqi military, backed by the Shiite militia and the US-led coalition, launched the military operation last week to liberate the city 40 miles west of Baghdad. At least 20,000 troops have been deployed to combat jihadists in Fallujah.

On Sunday, according to reports, these forces took control of almost all entrances to Fallujah.

Since 2014, Iraqi city of Fallujah has been controlled by Daesh, a terror group, outlawed in Russia. Before the war, the city was one of the country's biggest with population of 350,000 people.