Shiite militia: ISIS has declared emergency in Fallujah

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Islamic State has declared a state of emergency in Fallujah, as Shiite militias (Hashd al-Shaabi) have launched an attack to liberate the city, an Iraqi military source said Tuesday.  

“We’ll take control of Fallujah very soon, the attack won’t last long,” said Ahmed al-Asadi, a spokesperson for the militia. He added that after ISIS declared a state of emergency it forcibly took civilians to the front line.

According to Asadi, former Iraqi government employees inside Fallujah contacted the Hashd al-Shaabi and promised to help as they enter the town.

He also said that militants of the terror group rigged mosques and houses with explosives.