Moscow, Baghdad Discuss Operation to Liberate Fallujah From Daesh Militants

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Iraqi Ambassador to Moscow Ismail Mohsen discussed on Tuesday the operation on the liberation of the city of Fallujah from the Daesh militants, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Fallujah, located some 42 miles west of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, is one of the largest cities in the Anbar province. Daesh, outlawed in many countries including Russia, has been in control of the city since 2014.

"During the conversation, the sides exchanged views on the current situation in Iraq, with a focus on the ongoing armed forces'…. operation to free Fallujah and other Iraqi cities and towns from the militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant [formal name of Daesh] terrorist group," the ministry said.

The Iraqi Army and Shiite militias, backed by US airstrikes, launched the offensive to retake Fallujah on May 22.

Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi declared Fallujah liberated from Daesh, as the government forces gained control of the city center. However, media reported that fighting continued in the city.