Iraqi pro-government forces have recaptured parts of the centre of Fallujah, the city held by Islamic State (IS/Daesh) for two years. However, the jihadists still control a significant part of the city, and many streets and houses remain mined with explosives. Fierce gunfights, suicide bombs and mortar attacks continue.
Iraqi soldiers flash the 'V for victory' sign in FallujahThaier Al-Sudani/ReutersIraqi army soldiers hold a national flag on top of a military vehicle in the centre of FallujahThaier Al-Sudani/ReutersMembers of the Iraqi pro-government forces take aim in the al-Dhubat II neighbourhood of FallujahHaidar Mohammed Ali/AFPIraqi security forces gather at a hospital in the centre of FallujahThaier Al-Sudani/ReutersA member of the Iraqi security forces carries an Islamic State flag at Fallujah hospitalThaier Al-Sudani/ReutersMembers of the Iraqi army patrol in central FallujahThaier Al-Sudani/ReutersIraqi pro-government fighters pose in FallujahThaier Al-Sudani/ReutersA member of the Iraqi pro-government forces mans a rifle in the al-Dhubat II neighbourhood of FallujahHaidar Mohammed Ali/AFPLieutenant-General Abdul Ameer al-Shammari stands with members of the Iraqi army in the centre of FallujahThaier Al-Sudani/ReutersIraqi pro-government forces stand guard at a look-out point above an Islamic State flagHaidar Mohammed Ali/AFPDestroyed buildings are seen on the outskirts of FallujahThaier Al-Sudani/ReutersA damaged mosque is seen through a window of a military vehicle in the centre of FallujahThaier Al-Sudani/ReutersIraqi security force vehicles are pictured in Khadraa neighbourhood in FallujahReutersA member of the Iraqi pro-government forces fires a rocket-propelled grenade during clashes with Isis fighters as they try to enter the eastern Askari neighbourhood of FallujahHaidar Mohammed Ali/AFPIraqi pro-government forces check a building as they try to clear Fallujah of Islamic State fightersHaidar Mohammed Ali/AFPIraqi pro-government forces hold an Islamic State flag after they recaptured the al-Dhubat II neighbourhood of FallujahHaidar Mohammed Ali/AFPA member of the Iraqi counter terrorism forces inspects collapsed buildings in Fallujah's southern Shuhada neighbourhood after Iraqi government forces retook the area from Islamic StateHaidar Mohammed Ali/AFPA member of the Iraqi government forces flashes the sign for victory in the besieged city of Fallujah as they hunt down jihadistsAFPA member of the Iraqi pro-government forces holds his national flag in a building bearing Daesh graffiti in the al-Dhubat II neighbourhood of FallujahHaidar Mohammed Ali/AFP
Pro-government forces check an unidentified body as they search the al-Dhubat II neighbourhood of Fallujah for IS fighters still holed up in the former jihadi bastionHaidar Mohammed Ali/AFP
Federal police raised the Iraqi state flag above the government building and continued pursuing insurgents, according to a military statement. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-abadi said his government had retaken the city for the people of Iraq: "We promised to liberate Fallujah, and it has returned to the embrace of the nation."
More than 82,000 civilians have evacuated Fallujah, an hour's drive west of Baghdad, since the campaign began and up to 25,000 more are likely to be on the move, the United Nations said. Camps are overflowing with residents who escaped Fallujah and trekked several kilometres past Islamic State snipers and minefields in sweltering heat.
An Iraqi soldier helps civilians who fled from FallujahReutersDisplaced Iraqis from the embattled city of Fallujah wait for water to be delivered at a campMoadh al-Dulaimi/AFP
People fleeing Fallujah have been barred from entering Baghdad, just 60km (40 miles) away. Many Iraqis consider Fallujah an irredeemable bulwark of Sunni Muslim militancy and regard anyone holding out there when the assault began as an Islamic State supporter.
