FALLUJAH, Iraq -- Iraqi military forces launched their long-anticipated offensive against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Fallujah on Sunday starting with a sweeping attack against militants in the farmlands around the city. Since then the town of Garma has been retaken from the radical group. Much of the intitial intense battle took place around Garma used for more than two years by the militants as a supply line with other areas under their control. The operation is commanded by Lt. Gen. Abdul Wahab Al Saadi who pointed out that a tough terrain, the risk of civilian casualties and the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) ISIS has planted in the city are obstacles to a swift victory, which is why they will begin the offensive by surrounding and bombarding ISIS positions. Rudaw cameras accompany Iraqi troops in their offensive and as seen in the footage it is a slow, almost inch-by-inch progress. The Iraqi military are backed by Sunni tribesmen and a coalition of Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi militiamen along with US coalition air support. The military warned Fallujah's civilians to flee if possible on Sunday ahead of the operation and raise white flags to be distinguished from militants. ISIS initially captured Fallujah back in January 2014 making it the first and longest city is has controlled in Iraq.
